An Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London with 242 boarding passengers crashed into a hostel near the Ahmedabad Airport, shortly after taking off on Thursday evening

'Fire, clouds of smoke, debris all around,' eyewitnesses recall Ahmedabad Plane Crash horror

The Gujarat government has deployed three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising 90 officers, from Gandhinagar to the crash site to help rescue operations. PIC/PTI

Recalling the horrific Ahmedabad plane crash, an eyewitness on the ground said that there was fire, clouds of smoke and debris of the plane scattered all around.

Earlier in the day, an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London, with 242 passengers onboard, crashed into a hostel near Ahmedabad Airport shortly after taking off.

An eyewitness said, “I saw fire, clouds of smoke, debris scattered all around. I couldn’t understand anything. Later, I realised that the plane had crashed here. The police then cordoned off the area. It is a residential building, doctors live there.”

Describing the Ahmedabad Plane Crash, another eyewitness said, “We heard the blast, so we rushed to the spot. I saw smoke and fire. Doctors’ flats have been damaged. It’s a horrific incident.”

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members, crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon.

“After the takeoff, the plane crashed here and after a preliminary enquiry, we got to know that the, plane crashed into a building, which is a doctors’ hostel,” Jaipal Singh Rathore, Joint Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad, told reporters.

The Gujarat government has deployed three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising 90 officers, from Gandhinagar to the crash site to help rescue operations.

To ensure smooth transportation, the Western Railway has announced operation of additional trains from Ahmedabad after the plane crash.

Meanwhile, Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson on Thursday expressed “deep sorrow” at the crashing of the airline’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft with 242 people on board, saying this is a “difficult day” for all at Air India. Wilson, in a video statement, also said that the airline is actively working with the authorities on all emergency response efforts.

An emergency helpline number has been issued by the Ahmedabad City Police to assist for information related to the crash. “Ahmedabad City Police Emergency Number for Police Emergency Services and necessary information related to the Ahmedabad Plane Crash 07925620359,” Ahmedabad Police stated in a post on X.