At least 30 to 35 bodies have been recovered so far, and rescue workers believe many more are trapped in the debris. Among the victims were medical students and local residents. Emergency crews rushed to the site as thick smoke rose from the wreckage. Weather at the time of takeoff was reported to be clear.
India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, is on the ground, personally overseeing the response. Ahmedabad’s airport has been shut down, and a full investigation is now underway. The crash adds new pressure on Boeing, which is already facing scrutiny over safety issues with its 737 series, and raises serious concerns for Air India, recently privatized under the Tata Group.
Families gathered outside nearby hospitals, desperately seeking news of their loved ones. One tearful mother, whose son survived by jumping from a second-floor window, said, “He’s alive… but so many others weren’t as lucky.”
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area as recovery operations continue.