A year after the AI171 plane crash in Ahmedabad claimed 260 lives, officials recalled how, amid an unimaginable situation, the city mounted one of its largest emergency responses, swiftly coordinating medical requirements and mobilising trauma teams.
As many bodies were charred beyond recognition, officials quickly turned to DNA matching as the only reliable way to identify the deceased, with forensic teams working round-the-clock alongside other experts to ensure dignified handling of the victims.
The Ahmedabad Civil Hospital campus overflowed with people, NGOs, and volunteers supporting grieving families, as officials remembered the scene and prayed such a tragedy would never recur.
Due to the coordinated efforts of doctors, the health department, police, NGOs, relief teams, and the fire department, the situation was systematically managed in a short period, Ahmedabad Civil Hospital's medical superintendent Rakesh Joshi told PTI.
Within hours of the crash, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Health Minister Rushikesh Patel arrived at the hospital and reviewed the arrangements, he said.
On June 12 last year, the London-bound Air India flight AI-171 crashed into the hostel complex of BJ Medical College in the Meghaninagar area moments after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 241 persons on board and 19 on the ground. One passenger survived.
For doctors at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, the day had begun like any other.
"We never imagined we would witness something like this in our lifetime," recalled Joshi, who was in the middle of a complex pediatric surgery when the first alert came in about smoke rising near the hostel area.
Within seconds came the shocking confirmation-an Air India international flight had crashed. "I couldn't believe it," he said.
What followed was one of the largest emergency medical responses the city had ever seen.
Even before victims were brought in, the Civil Hospital activated its mass-casualty protocol. Messages were sent across doctors' groups, emergency medicines were arranged, blood banks were alerted, and trauma teams were mobilised, the official noted.
10/06/2026 PTI/Business Standard
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