Destruction and Death

The Ahmedabad plane crash shattered lives and hopes in an instant. Over 260 souls were lost, families broken, and a city was left to mourn a tragedy too vast to comprehend.

Ahmedabad has faced many tragedies, but the 12 June 2025 plane crash remains unforgettable. Over 270 lives were lost when an Air India flight to London crashed into a medical college, bursting into flames. Families from eight districts rushed to identify their loved ones. The aircraft crashed just four minutes after take-off.

The aircraft was carrying about 1.2 lakh litres of aviation fuel. It was a tragedy beyond imagination. Condolences feel too small a word for families who have lost loved ones. The plane split in two, with one part crashing 100 metres away and triggering a massive explosion.

The blast was so loud that BJ Medical College students thought it was a bomb. In a panic, many jumped from the third floor, suffering injuries. The tail section struck the hostel canteen, injuring several students during lunch.

It was a scene too horrific to describe. No one in Gujarat or Ahmedabad will forget the deafening explosion and the fire that followed, consuming lives and fuel alike. Many tourists were burnt alive. The yellow flames cast a permanent black shadow over countless families.

When we arrived at the scene, it felt like the building bore witness to death.

After removing the aircraft’s engine and other debris, we were confronted with the grim sight of bodies; tragically, not a single one was intact. Body parts lay scattered amidst the devastation.

The crash site was personally significant, as I spent my childhood in that area. The impact caused a massive explosion and fireball, with flames visible kilometres away. One wing reportedly fell on a nearby road, sparking a fire. Given the heavy traffic, there were fears that motorists were caught in the blaze.

I live just 500 metres from the plane crash site. A friend of mine, who works at the local police station, called and said, “A plane has crashed. Please get to the site — and bring as many people as you can to help.” From the urgency in his voice, it was clear this was no ordinary accident.

Within 20 minutes, a few friends and I reached the scene, and what lay before us looked like something out of a Hollywood film. For a moment, I was frozen, unable to process what to do.

A fire official warned us to stay back, as flames and explosions from the hostel still raged. With the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation staff, we used four JCBs to clear the road for ambulances. The plane-hit building, Atulyam Tower, looked monstrous. Medical students were having lunch when the crash happened — who could have imagined it?

Slowly, bodies began to emerge from the rubble. Heartbreakingly, not a single one was intact. With the scattered remains, it became clear where people had died.

My friend and former corporator Bhadreshbhai Makwana joined the rescue, helping evacuate people and coordinating with the ambulance service, police, and fire department.

The tragedy deepened with news that former Chief Minister VijaybhaiRupani also died in the crash. Under his leadership, Gujarat saw the rise of Metro, AIIMS, and railway coach units. Known for his simplicity, he made his final journey heavenward. Rajkot bid him a tearful farewell, mourning into the night despite the relentless rain.

Valuable items found were returned to the authorities. The relief work continued till 6.30 pm, till other agencies took control of the site. Despite relief efforts with RSS volunteers, we saw crying faces, helplessness, and people unable to find their loved ones. For 12 consecutive days after the plane crash, it felt as if Ahmedabad was enduring an accident. Whether it was a technical fault or a human error is a subject of research, but the people of India will never forget such an incident.

This heart-wrenching incident shocked everyone. For the relatives of the deceased, this incident is a loss. Time often heals, but here, people witness the wrath of time. It was a scene where even a brave and steadfast person would collapse. The kingdom of rubble seemed to rule over the dead. Amidst the relief work, some acts reflected humanity. NGOs, temples (specifically the Swaminarayan temple, Shahibagh), and the RSS arranged for drinking water and food. Ahmedabad, at that moment, set a milestone in humanity.

The crash happened in Ahmedabad, but those lost can now only be seen in photographs. They may be silent, but their memories will remain. No one could have imagined that a journey that started with aspirations would end in permanent loss. No one would wish such deaths of tourists, students, and children even for their enemy.

(The author is a professional based in Ahmedabad. Views personal.)