Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabadโs Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The aircraft lost signal soon after departure and crashed into the student dining hall of B J Medical College, located about 2 km from the runway.
The flight was carrying 242 people, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals.
The impact caused extensive damage, scattering debris and igniting fires that emergency responders are now battling.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the plane struck without warning during lunchtime. Students inside the hall were injured, and many were taken to Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. The full extent of casualties is still unclear.
Authorities have halted all flight operations at Ahmedabad airport. Police have confirmed the crash into the medical college hostel, and Air India is cooperating with officials to investigate the cause and assist those affected.
The situation remains critical as rescue and recovery efforts continue. Officials are working to assess the damage and determine the number of casualties, while the tail of the aircraft was reportedly found on a nearby residential building.
“This is a horrific scene. The plane just came out of nowhere and crashed into the student mess hall,” said an eyewitness. “There are multiple injuries, and it’s chaos everywhere,” an eye witness noted
“We were having lunch when we heard a loud noise. The building shook, and there was smoke everywhere,” said a student who was in the dining hall.
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