On a seemingly ordinary afternoon, a catastrophic event unfolded in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, shaking the city to its core.
An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed into a medical college hostel shortly after takeoff.
The incident has left the nation grieving, with reports of significant loss of life and injuries. Emergency teams are working tirelessly, but the scale of the tragedy is overwhelming.
Here’s what we know about this heartbreaking event.
Air India Plane Crash: A Devastating Collision
How many people were affected by the Air India plane crash at BJ Medical College?
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The Air India flight, AI-171, was bound for London’s Gatwick Airport when disaster struck. Just minutes after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 PM on June 12, 2025, the plane issued a Mayday call.
Moments later, it crashed into the hostel mess building of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar area. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers, two pilots, and ten crew members, collided with the dining area where 60 to 80 medical students were having lunch.
The impact caused a fire, with thick black smoke visible from miles away. Reports indicate that all 242 people on board are feared dead, alongside several medical students on the ground.
The exact number of casualties is still being confirmed, but estimates suggest at least five students perished, with 50 to 60 others injured, some critically.
Impact on the Medical Community
The crash site, BJ Medical College’s hostel, is home to medical students and resident doctors. The plane struck the mess hall, a place where students gather daily, turning a routine moment into a tragedy.
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) expressed deep shock, noting that many MBBS students and interns were among the casualties. At least two students are in intensive care, and others remain missing.
The medical community is mourning the loss of future doctors, with social media posts highlighting the heartbreak of seeing “unfinished food and incomplete dreams” amid the wreckage.
Emergency response teams, including firefighters and medical personnel, rushed to the scene, transferring the injured to Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital. Air India has set up a hotline (1800 5691 444) to assist families seeking information.
Ongoing Investigation and Response
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, with early reports suggesting a possible engineering fault or bird strike affecting both engines.
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The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, delivered in 2014, had no prior fatal incidents, making this the first for its model. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is leading the probe, focusing on why the plane failed to gain altitude and veered into the hostel.
Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, adding to the tragedy’s prominence. World leaders, including Canada’s Mark Carney and Australia’s Anthony Albanese, have expressed condolences.
Indian Railways has deployed Vande Bharat trains to assist stranded passengers as the Ahmedabad airport temporarily suspended operations. The nation awaits answers as rescue efforts continue.
This tragedy has left Ahmedabad and the world in mourning. The loss of passengers, crew, and young medical students is a stark reminder of life’s fragility.
As investigations proceed, the focus remains on supporting the affected families and honoring the memory of those lost.