Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 12: Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded at Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad as relatives of passengers and residents affected by the tragic Air India AI171 crash rushed to check on their loved ones.
The Air India flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, slamming into a doctors’ hostel near the airport, according to senior police officials. The aircraft was carrying 242 passengers and crew, and many of the injured have been shifted to the Civil Hospital for treatment.
At the hospital, relatives anxiously waited for news.
Bhawna Patel, whose sister was onboard, told
“My sister was going to London. Her flight was around 1:10 pm. But now we hear it crashed.”
Another distressed relative said:
“My sister-in-law was on that flight. Within an hour, I got the news that the plane had crashed. So I rushed here.”
In a tragic twist, the hostel the plane crashed into also had people inside. A mother whose son was present at the doctors’ hostel recounted her ordeal:
“My son had gone to the hostel during his lunch break. The plane crashed there. Thankfully, he is safe. He jumped from the second floor and sustained some injuries.”
Crash Site Update & Emergency Measures
Senior police officials stated that 70% to 80% of the crash site has been cleared, and urged the public to cooperate to create a green corridor for swift movement of ambulances.
“We urge all people to cooperate so that we can create a green corridor for emergency medical transport,” an officer said.
To aid in rescue and recovery, the Gujarat government has mobilized three NDRF teams, comprising 90 personnel from Gandhinagar, to the crash site.
Emergency Contact Numbers
The Ahmedabad City Police issued a dedicated emergency helpline for updates and support:
📞 079-25620359
Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad Airport remains closed, with all flight operations suspended until further notice following the tragic incident.
This marks one of the most significant aviation tragedies in recent Indian history, drawing comparisons to past air disasters and highlighting the critical importance of rapid emergency response and passenger safety.