New Delhi: The London-bound Air India plane crashed into a medical college hostel where students were eating lunch. Many were left injured after being hit by the aircraft wreckage. The relatives of the passengers onboard have come out seeking updates on their loved ones. Rescue teams and ambulances rushed to the scene. Flight operations at the Ahmedabad airport have been temporarily suspended following the accident.
“My sister-in-law was going to London. Within an hour, I got news that the plane had crashed. So, I have come here,” said Poonam Patel as he arrived at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The plane crashed into a medical hostel where many doctors live. A few had to jump off the roof because of the crash and have been taken to the hospital. A 52-year-old woman Shri Devi Vyamchendu, the mother of a PG doctor, has been injured.
“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,” said Ramila, who is also currently at the Civil Hospital.
Fearful relatives of the passengers have also reached the spot.
“My sister was going to London. She had her flight around 1.10 pm, but the flight crashed,” said Bhawna Patel.
Air India has issued a passenger hotline number – 1800 5691 444 – to provide more information about the crash. A help desk and assistance area are being set up outside the now temporarily closed Ahmedabad airport for the relatives of the passengers of the ill-fated flight, which crashed soon after takeoff today.
“The plane crashed into a building that is a medical hostel. We have cleared almost 70 to 80 per cent of the area and the rest of the area will be cleared soon,” said a police official on the condition of anonymity.
About 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals were onboard. The flight took off at 1:39 pm from the Ahmedabad airport and was supposed to land in London at 6:30 in the morning. It was scheduled to reach Goa after that, at 10:20 am on 13 June.
The aircraft was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration number VT-ANB and serial number 36279. The aircraft was entered into service on 8 February 2014 and delivered to Air India on 28 January that year.
With inputs from Manisha Mondal.