In Brief:
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A London-bound Air India flight crashes in Ahmedabad minutes after takeoff
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1.25 lakh litres of aviation fuel ignited, causing an uncontrollable inferno
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Rescue operations hampered by extreme heat; temperatures soared to 1,000°C
Air India Plane Crash: Firestorm Reaches 1,000°C, Devastates Entire Area
An Air India flight bound for London tragically crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday, just moments after takeoff. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, plunged into a residential zone near the BJ Medical College, triggering a fire of unimaginable intensity.
According to authorities, the fire was fueled by approximately 1.25 lakh litres of aviation fuel, causing the temperature at the crash site to spike to a staggering 1,000 degrees Celsius. Rescue personnel faced extreme challenges as the heat made it nearly impossible to approach the wreckage.
“The explosion created an inferno that gave no time for escape, not even for animals or birds,” a senior fire officer reported. Carcasses of dogs and birds were discovered at the scene, illustrating the sheer force of the blaze.
Locals initially managed to rescue a few survivors before trained responders arrived. However, once the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams reached the area, they found only charred remains. One SDRF member revealed, “We’ve managed dozens of disasters, but nothing compares to this. The heat, the smoke, the destruction—it was overwhelming.”
Rescue crews wearing PPE kits worked tirelessly to sift through the debris, which was still smoldering hours later. One official claimed to have recovered between 25–30 bodies, including children, and noted that DNA tests would be required for identification.
Tragically, among the victims were not only passengers but also students and staff from the BJ Medical College, whose hostels were impacted by the crash.
Although authorities have yet to confirm an official death toll, police sources said 265 bodies were taken to the civil hospital.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the media, stating:
“With that much fuel onboard, once the fire ignited, it was impossible to save anyone.”
This horrific incident has shaken the nation and raised fresh concerns about aviation safety and emergency preparedness in densely populated urban areas.
