Ahmedabad : A tragic air disaster struck the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, as an Air India plane crashed into the hostel premises of BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital, injuring at least 20 medical students, with some reports suggesting the number may be as high as 30 to 40.
The aircraft reportedly slammed into the dining hall of the students’ hostel where many were present at the time, leading to panic, chaos, and widespread injuries.
“The plane crashed in the dining hall of the hostel where people were present. Many of them were injured and taken to hospital,” a medical student told PTI.
According to Haresh Shah, an eyewitness, the impact caused a fire that spread to nearby residential quarters and hospital staff buildings, many of which are five-storey structures. Several occupants suffered injuries due to the resulting blaze and structural damage.
“Many people in those apartments were injured as the buildings also caught fire,” Shah said.
Dhananjay Dwivedi, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, confirmed that around 50 injured persons have been rushed to the hospital. Most are reported to be in stable condition.
Dwivedi, who has been appointed officer on special duty for the crisis, said that DNA testing centres have been set up to facilitate the identification of victims, and families have been urged to provide DNA samples to assist in the process.
