Disaster in the Sky: Passenger Plane Crashes into Medical College Hostel, 242 Feared Dead

Ahmedabad, India – June 12, 2025

In one of the most horrifying aviation disasters in recent memory, a commercial airliner carrying 242 people crashed directly into a medical college hostel shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The impact has left a scene of utter devastation, with both the aircraft’s passengers and dozens of students at the hostel feared dead or severely injured.

The aircraft, Air India Flight AI171, was bound for London Gatwick and had taken off just minutes before the tragic crash occurred at around 5:49 a.m. local time. Eyewitnesses say the plane appeared to struggle to gain altitude before banking hard to the left and slamming into the side of the Saraswati Medical College hostel, a student residence just four kilometers from the runway.

Chaos and Fire

The collision set off an enormous fireball, with flames rapidly engulfing both the mangled fuselage and multiple floors of the hostel. Thick, black smoke billowed into the early morning sky as panicked students fled the building—some with burns and others injured by flying debris and collapsing walls.

“I woke up to the sound of a deafening roar and glass shattering,” said Priya Verma, a second-year medical student who narrowly escaped the inferno. “Within seconds, the hallway was filled with smoke and screams. I thought we were under attack.”

Local residents, security personnel, and first responders rushed to the scene. Firefighters battled flames for hours, working their way through the collapsed wing of the hostel and the wreckage of the plane. Emergency medics treated the injured on nearby lawns, while army units were called in to assist in recovering bodies.

Unknown Toll

While all 214 passengers and 28 crew members aboard the plane are presumed to have perished, authorities have not yet confirmed the full death toll. Estimates suggest that up to 50 students may have been in the impacted section of the hostel at the time of the crash.

“We are witnessing a catastrophe on a scale we never imagined,” said Ahmedabad Fire Commissioner Rajesh Patel. “We’ve pulled out both survivors and the deceased from under rubble, but large parts of the building are unstable.”

Hospital corridors were soon filled with bloodied survivors and anxious families, while the morgue quickly reached capacity. DNA testing may be required to identify many of the victims due to the intensity of the fire.

Immediate Response

The Indian government has declared a state of emergency in the area and deployed disaster response teams to assist with the search, recovery, and investigation efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed “deep sorrow” and called for a national day of mourning.

Air India has set up an emergency helpline and dispatched senior officials to Ahmedabad. The airline issued a brief statement: “We are deeply shocked by the tragic accident involving Flight AI171. Our thoughts are with the families of all those affected. Full support is being provided to local authorities and rescue operations.”

Investigation Begins

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has begun an investigation into the cause of the crash. Black box recovery is underway, though its location amid smoldering debris makes access difficult. A preliminary theory involves mechanical failure or bird strike, but officials stress that nothing can be confirmed until proper analysis is complete.

The aircraft involved, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was less than seven years old and had passed all recent maintenance checks, according to Air India sources.

“We will leave no stone unturned to determine how a fully operational aircraft crashed into a populated building just minutes after takeoff,” said DGCA spokesperson Meena Khanna.

A Campus in Mourning

At Saraswati Medical College, a once-bustling hostel now stands scorched and silent. Grieving students have gathered outside, many still in shock, unsure of the fate of roommates and friends.

“I saw my roommate for the last time last night,” whispered Ankit Mehra, a first-year student. “She was studying late. She never made it out.”

Counseling services are being offered to survivors, and the college has suspended all academic activity indefinitely.

A Nation Grieves

As the sun set over Ahmedabad, candles and flowers lined the fence outside the hostel. Across the country, tributes poured in from leaders, citizens, and international communities, all expressing grief at the profound loss of life.

This crash is not only a tragic event in Indian aviation history but also a searing reminder of how quickly normal life can be shattered. For now, the nation mourns 242 lives lost in the sky—and the many more shattered on the ground.