In one of the most harrowing aviation incidents in recent memory, an Air India plane’s mid-air failure led to a catastrophic crash into a medical college canteen in Ahmedabad, resulting in loss of life and panic.
Air India Flight AI171 Crashes into Canteen, Leaving Casualties
Air India Flight AI171 Crashes into Canteen, Leaving Casualties
A summer afternoon turned tragic as an Air India flight crashed, impacting a bustling canteen and claiming lives.
On Thursday afternoon, students at the BJ Medical College were enjoying lunch in their canteen when chaos erupted. At 1:39 PM local time, Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad's airport, only 1.5 km away, headed for London with 242 passengers onboard. Shortly after gaining altitude, the aircraft encountered severe trouble, issuing a mayday call before crashing into the busy residential area where the canteen was located, resulting in a tremendous explosion that engulfed the building in flames.
Eyewitness accounts emerged from the scene, painting a picture of confusion and despair. Students, including those from the nearby doctor’s hostel, noted that the ordinary atmosphere of laughter and chatter shifted dramatically with the deafening sound of jet engines, followed by a massive blast.
Dr. Minakshi Parikh, dean at the college, confirmed the tragic news: eight lives were lost, including four students of the institution and their relatives. As rescuers sift through debris, many survivors report being trapped under rubble, indicating a terrifying reality of chaos as fellow students rushed to help.
Brothers Prince and Krish Patni, who were nearby when the plane struck, recounted the intense heat from the explosion and their struggle to enter the canteen to assist survivors. Once they reached the scene, they found individuals in shock, surrounded by the remnants of an aircraft, many still clutching their meals.
One second-year student who managed to escape described being pinned beneath debris and struggling to breathe due to smoke and flames. Injuries have been widespread among survivors, with many still receiving treatment in local hospitals.
The devastation extended beyond the canteen, affecting those in the surrounding area, as the search for victims continues. Investigators now face the challenging task of identifying the deceased, using DNA efforts to confirm their identities amid the wreckage.
Amidst the ongoing turmoil, college officials are focusing on the injured while grieving the loss of their students. The community rallies together, as individuals like Ravi Thakur seek loved ones and try to navigate the aftermath of this tragic event.
Eyewitness accounts emerged from the scene, painting a picture of confusion and despair. Students, including those from the nearby doctor’s hostel, noted that the ordinary atmosphere of laughter and chatter shifted dramatically with the deafening sound of jet engines, followed by a massive blast.
Dr. Minakshi Parikh, dean at the college, confirmed the tragic news: eight lives were lost, including four students of the institution and their relatives. As rescuers sift through debris, many survivors report being trapped under rubble, indicating a terrifying reality of chaos as fellow students rushed to help.
Brothers Prince and Krish Patni, who were nearby when the plane struck, recounted the intense heat from the explosion and their struggle to enter the canteen to assist survivors. Once they reached the scene, they found individuals in shock, surrounded by the remnants of an aircraft, many still clutching their meals.
One second-year student who managed to escape described being pinned beneath debris and struggling to breathe due to smoke and flames. Injuries have been widespread among survivors, with many still receiving treatment in local hospitals.
The devastation extended beyond the canteen, affecting those in the surrounding area, as the search for victims continues. Investigators now face the challenging task of identifying the deceased, using DNA efforts to confirm their identities amid the wreckage.
Amidst the ongoing turmoil, college officials are focusing on the injured while grieving the loss of their students. The community rallies together, as individuals like Ravi Thakur seek loved ones and try to navigate the aftermath of this tragic event.
