Deadly Descent: Air India Dreamliner Crashes Near Student Hostel in Ahmedabad
An Air India Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12. The flight, designated AI171, was en route to Gatwick Airport in London when it went down near a student hostel, triggering a massive fire and chaotic scenes.
The aircraft took off at 1:38 PM local time, bound for the United Kingdom, but crashed within minutes of departure. Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft burst into flames upon impact, and thick black smoke could be seen billowing from the crash site.
Air India has confirmed the nationalities of the passengers on board. Among the 242 individuals, there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian citizen. In addition, the flight had two pilots and ten cabin crew members. The captain of the flight was Sumit Savarwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar.
Due to the long-haul nature of the journey, the aircraft was carrying a large quantity of fuel, which intensified the fire and explosion following the crash. According to sources, the aircraft came down on a medical college hostel that housed MBBS students, raising grave concerns about additional casualties among residents.
Civil Aviation authorities (DGCA) are expected to launch an official investigation into the crash, in coordination with a potential technical team from Boeing. However, no official cause for the crash has yet been disclosed.
The horrifying moment of the crash was captured on camera, revealing the aircraft erupting in flames upon impact, followed by thick plumes of smoke rising from the scene.
According to News18, “the aircraft crashed directly into the hostel of a medical college, where many MBBS students resided.” Multiple student fatalities have already been confirmed, though local authorities have not released an official death toll.
Eyewitnesses described a heartbreaking and chaotic aftermath. One local official stated, “Many young lives have been lost in this tragedy,” referring to the student residents of the hostel. He added, “This is one of the darkest days in Ahmedabad’s history. We mourn the loss of so many young people.”
