Emergency teams working in the area of the crash of Air India flight AI171 in the city of Ahmedabad have found no trace of survivors among the 242 people on board, sources from the rescue operation confirmed to EFE, on a day that has also resulted in at least five deaths on the ground.
With searches still underway in the wreckage, there is “no sign of survivors” at the moment, said a rescue team source who requested anonymity.
Casualties on the ground: students and a doctor among the deceased
The incident affected not only those on board the aircraft, but also people on the ground.
The device directly impacted the student residence of BJ Medical College, one of the region’s leading medical schools.
NDTV confirmed that five people died at the scene: four undergraduate students and one resident doctor.
The accident occurred around noon, when many students were gathered in the campus dining hall.
Images shared by local media show debris and fragments of the plane’s fuselage embedded inside the building, where several walls collapsed due to the impact.
One of the most affected areas is precisely the dining room, where some of the victims were presumably located.
Dozens injured and fear for remaining occupants
✈️🇮🇳 Air tragedy in India: an Air India plane with 242 people on board crashed after take-off to London.
➡️ Traveling were 169 Indians, 53 British, 7 Portuguese and 1 Canadian, according to the airline.
➡️ There is no official report of casualties yet.
➡️ The pilot… pic.twitter.com/6985hHFoKE– Azucena Uresti (@azucenau) June 12, 2025
The Association of Internists and Residents in Medicine (FAIMA) issued a statement expressing its dismay at the events.
“Many medical students have been injured,” they said, while claiming to be in contact with hospital authorities to coordinate medical care and support for affected families.
On the side of the plane’s passengers and crew, authorities have not yet released an official list of casualties or a precise count of the injured or deceased, although some bodies have already been transferred to nearby hospitals.
The aircraft reportedly launched a “MAYDAY” emergency signal shortly after takeoff, indicating that the crew was already facing a critical situation.
Rescue operation and international response
The #AirIndia flight, which departed from #Ahmedabad at 13:38 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.
📹 Vijay Soneji pic.twitter.com/ccboJpr23g– The Hindu (@the_hindu) June 12, 2025
Local emergency crews, army units and firefighters are working around the clock at the scene.
Rescuers have had to use heavy machinery to remove debris and parts of the aircraft.
In addition, mobile hospitals have been set up to provide emergency care to the injured.
In London, the Embassy of India has set up a hotline to assist family members of passengers.
Efforts are also being coordinated with British and European authorities, as the plane was carrying travelers of different nationalities, including U.S., European and Latin American citizens.
Impact on the international community
Buzzy
The incident has generated global concern and has reignited the debate on air safety on international routes.
Air India, which has had a history of minor incidents in recent years, said it is cooperating fully with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Boeing, the plane’s manufacturer, to clarify the causes of the accident.
