Ahmedabad, June 12 (IANS) An Air India flight AI-171 travelling from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed just minutes after takeoff on Thursday, prompting the closure of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport for all operations.

The plan crashed into a residential hostel for intern doctors shortly after takeoff, igniting a massive blaze and leaving a trail of destruction.

More than eight people are suspected dead, with dozens more injured or missing.

According to preliminary reports, the aircraft’s wing clipped the third, fourth and fifth floors of the multi-storey hostel building near Meghani Nagar.

The impact caused a catastrophic fire that rapidly engulfed the structure, home to more than 50 people, including young medical interns and their families.

The fire’s intensity left several trapped inside and forced others to leap from the upper floors in a desperate attempt to escape.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and heartbreak.

“A man threw his child down from the fourth floor hoping to save her life,” one local resident said.

A woman who jumped from the same floor suffered critical injuries.

Multiple residents were seen jumping from windows as the fire raged through the building.

While official casualty figures are awaited, sources suggest that more than eight to nine people may have died as the Air India plane crashed into the intern doctors’ hostel.

In disturbing twist, authorities reported incidents of theft during rescue operations.

Safes and personal belongings inside the hostel were found ransacked, with cash, jewellery and mobile phones allegedly stolen by individuals posing as volunteers.

This has sparked outrage among citizens and officials alike.

Meanwhile, the Airport Authority has recovered the aircraft’s black box, a critical component that records flight data and cockpit communication.

It will be crucial in piecing together the exact chain of events that led to the crash.

Early reports suggest a possible double engine failure due to bird hits shortly after takeoff, though this is yet to be confirmed by investigators.

Relief operations continued late into Thursday evening, with fire brigades, NDRF teams, and emergency responders working tirelessly at the crash site.

The severely damaged building is said to be at risk of collapse, further complicating rescue efforts.

Further updates are awaited as investigation and rescue operations continue.

–IANS

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