Ahmedabad: The London-bound Air India Flight AI-171, which came down within minutes of departing from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, crashed into a hostel mess of BJ Medical College in Meghaninagar, one of Gujarat’s largest government-run medical institutions.
Of the 242 people on board the Dreamliner aircraft, the chances of finding survivors are extremely low. There have been multiple injuries among medical students on ground also, and casualties can’t be ruled out as well.
The impact of the crash, around 1.40 pm, triggered a massive explosion, causing significant structural damage to the building and sparking panic across the college campus.
Emergency response teams were rushed to the site, and they began rescue and evacuation efforts immediately.
According to eyewitnesses and rescue personnel, several MBBS students were inside the hostel and in the adjoining mess hall when the plane suddenly came down.
It was lunch time and many of the students were at the dining hall which is a common gathering point, especially between 1 pm and 2 pm.
Shocking visuals from the crash site showed a scene of utter devastation.
The exact number of student casualties has not yet been confirmed officially, but according to hospital sources, at least five people have reportedly died, and around 30 have been injured.
Pictures showed a part of the plane stuck inside the students’ hostel of BJ Medical College.
Other images showed food plates lying on tables in the hostel canteen, with people standing near the damaged wall.
