Five dead at medical students’ hostel where Air India plane crashed

Five medical students died and many suffered injuries after an Air India flight crashed into the hostel of the BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This includes four undergraduate students and a postgraduate resident, according to NDTV.

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 242 people on board — 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and 2 pilots — crashed immediately after take-off from Ahmedabad airport, the channel reported.

The flight, headed to London, departed at 13:38 pm from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The failure to achieve lift happened at a very low altitude of 825 feet, as per the same report.

In pictures from the ground, plates with food left uneaten and glasses can be seen lying on the tables in the hostel canteen, indicating medical students were having lunch at the time of the crash. The image also shows people standing near the damaged wall of the hostel mess, the outlet noted.

Visuals also revealed a part of the aircraft stuck inside the students' hostel of the BJ Medical College, it added.

"We are deeply shocked about the news of AI plane crashing in Ahmedabad. News has become more gruesome after finding out that the flight crashed into BJMC Hostel & many MBBS students have also been injured!!!! We are monitoring the situation closely & are ready for any help!" the FAIMA Doctors Association said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), as cited by NDTV.

Nearly 40 doctors have been wounded and at least one is in a critical situation. Speaking to the news outlet, Dr Shyam Govind, an eyewitness from the BJ Medical College, said, "I and my junior doctor have been injured. 30–40 undergraduate doctors also suffered injuries and one to two students are serious."

Ramila, the mother of one of the medical students who was present at the hostel at the time of the crash, said her son was on a lunch break. He jumped from the second floor of the building to save himself, the report said.

"My son had gone to the hostel during lunch break, and the plane crashed there. My son is safe, and I have spoken to him. He jumped from the second floor, so he suffered some injuries," Ramila, who reached the civil hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, said while speaking to the news agency ANI, as quoted by NDTV.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, issued a "Mayday" call to Air Traffic Control shortly before the plane lost contact. A Mayday call is an internationally recognised distress signal used primarily in aviation and maritime communication to indicate a life-threatening emergency, NDTV reported.

Expressing sadness over the Ahmedabad plane crash, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it is "heartbreaking" beyond words. He said he is in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected, according to the network.

"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected," PM Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter), as reported by the broadcaster.

Air India has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information, the report added.