Ahmedabad Plane Crash: All 242 feared dead, including former CM Vijay Rupani and 5 medical students on ground
Ahmedabad, India – In a catastrophic tragedy, all 242 passengers and crew members aboard an Air India flight are feared dead when the plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday. The flight, bound for London, plowed into a hostel at BJ Medical College, claiming the lives of five medical students and injuring 40 others on the ground.
“It appears there are no survivors in the plane crash,” Commissioner G.S. Malik told The Associated Press. He added that with the plane crashing in a residential area with offices, “some locals would have also died.”
“Exact figures on casualties are being ascertained,” he said.
The flight crashed midday shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport with more than 240 people on board.
Details of the Ahmedabad Plane Crash
The ill-fated Air India flight, carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew members, took off at 1:17 PM before crashing minutes later. The aircraft collided with a hostel building at BJ Medical College, killing four undergraduate students and one postgraduate resident. Many others suffered severe injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, adding to the national grief.
Passenger Nationality Breakdown
- 169 Indians
- 53 British nationals
- 7 Portuguese citizens
- 1 Canadian passenger
Eyewitnesses reported thick black smoke and massive explosions as the plane crashed into the hostel. Firefighters and emergency teams battled flames for hours, while rescue workers pulled out survivors and victims from the debris.
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Government and Political Leaders Respond
Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately contacted Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, directing them to visit Ahmedabad and oversee rescue operations.
Amit Shah spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, assuring all possible assistance to the victims’ families. Authorities have sealed the crash site for investigation.
World Mourns the Tragedy
The catastrophic incident has sent shockwaves globally, with condolences pouring in from leaders and citizens alike. As investigations continue, the focus remains on identifying victims, supporting grieving families, and determining the cause of this horrific accident.
