Air India Flight AI171 Crashes in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, June 12: A devastating air crash occurred in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, with authorities fearing that none of the 242 people aboard the ill-fated Air India flight AI171 have survived. The city’s Police Commissioner confirmed that there is little hope of any survivors.
According to Ahmedabad police, nearly 100 bodies have been transported to hospitals in the city. Due to the extent of burns on many of the victims, identifying them has proven to be extremely challenging. More than a hundred ambulances and emergency personnel were deployed to the scene shortly after the crash occurred.
The aircraft took off from Ahmedabad airport at 1:38 PM, en route to Gatwick Airport in the UK. However, within just five minutes of takeoff, it crashed into a residential area in Meghaninagar, hitting a hostel for medical students affiliated with B.J. Medical College. Witnesses say the aircraft burst into flames upon impact. Reports from hospital sources confirm that at least five doctors residing in the hostel were also killed.
Air India confirmed that the aircraft had a total of 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Among the passengers were 169 individuals from India, 53 from the United Kingdom, seven from Portugal, and one from Canada. The incident has deeply shaken the entire country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have already arrived in Gujarat and visited the site to oversee rescue efforts and offer condolences.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau have launched a probe into the crash. Investigators will analyze the black box to determine the exact cause of the incident.
This heartbreaking disaster has left the country in mourning, marking one of the darkest days in India’s aviation history.