Ahmedabad, June 12 — In a tragedy that has rocked the nation and stunned the world, an Air India international flight crash-landed in Ahmedabad, reportedly killing at least 133 people. The aircraft, which was attempting a landing in poor weather conditions, not only failed to stabilize but crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel where students were having lunch.
The crash is being termed one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Indian history in recent years. In a swift press briefing, Air India officials confirmed the nationalities of those on board:
- 169 Indian nationals
- 53 British nationals
- 1 Canadian national
- 7 Portuguese nationals
The confirmation of international passengers adds a global dimension to this human tragedy, drawing diplomatic and humanitarian concern from embassies and consulates. Emergency response teams have been deployed, and local hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed with survivors and bodies.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of “utter chaos and panic” as the aircraft slammed into the ground and parts of it exploded on impact. Nearby buildings, including the BJ Medical hostel, suffered extensive structural damage. Students who were dining in the mess were reportedly among the casualties, though an exact number is yet to be confirmed by authorities.
“The situation is not good,” said a senior rescue official at the crash site. “We’re still pulling out bodies and survivors. The smell of burning metal and fuel is everywhere.”
While investigations are still underway, early indications suggest a possible technical failure combined with poor visibility. Aviation experts and crash investigators are on-site, and the flight data recorder (black box) has been recovered for analysis.
Air India has suspended all outbound flights from Ahmedabad for the next 24 hours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic Air India crash. My prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives. Full support is being extended to the victims.”
Social media is awash with shock and solidarity, with hashtags like #AhmedabadCrash and #AirIndiaTragedy trending nationwide.
As India mourns this devastating loss of life, international agencies are also offering assistance, and airline regulators are expected to tighten safety protocols following the disaster.
The BJ Medical College has announced a temporary shutdown as the hostel and adjacent buildings are assessed for safety and survivors are treated.