Death Toll in Ahmedabad Plane Crash Rises to 290 as Doctors in Hostel Among Casualties

The death toll in the Ahmedabad plane crash has risen to at least 290, with officials confirming that a significant number of those killed were doctors living in a hostel struck by the aircraft. The Air India flight, which was en route to London with 242 people on board, crashed moments after takeoff, killing nearly all passengers and causing further fatalities on the ground.

Of the 242 people aboard the flight, 241 were confirmed dead, with only one survivor—a British national—found in seat 11A near an emergency exit. The aircraft crashed into a multi-storey hostel housing medical doctors and students, contributing heavily to the high number of casualties. Images from the scene showed the plane’s tail embedded in the building’s structure.

At least 269 bodies have been brought to Civil Lines Hospital, according to senior police officer Vishaka Dabral. Authorities are still verifying how many of the dead were in the hostel at the time of the crash.

Ramila, the mother of one student, said her son survived by jumping from the second floor during his lunch break. He sustained injuries but managed to contact her. Others in the building were not as fortunate.

The sole surviving passenger, Ramesh Viswashkumar, recounted the moment of impact from his hospital bed, describing a deafening noise followed by chaos. “When I got up, there were bodies all around me,” he said. His brother, who was seated in another row, remains unaccounted for.

Among those confirmed dead is Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, where Ahmedabad is the main city. Police chief G.S. Malik said that recovered bodies include both those on the flight and individuals who were in the building when it was struck.

Rescue operations are ongoing, and officials warn that the final toll may rise as identification efforts continue.