AHMEDABAD, India — Navin Chaudhary had just settled down for a meal when an unexpected explosion rattled the atmosphere. As panic ensued, Chaudhary witnessed an inferno rapidly engulfing the dining section where he and fellow medical trainees were gathered for lunch, prompting him to make a daring escape through a window.
Once outside, Chaudhary and his peers were confronted with the sight of the Air India plane’s tail cone ominously protruding from the blazing structure. This grim scene spurred them into immediate action. “The area was engulfed in flames, and numerous individuals were hurt,” Chaudhary recalled.
Despite the shock, he felt fortunate to have survived and recognized his responsibility in the unfolding crisis. He quickly made his way to the hospital’s intensive care unit, where many victims, primarily suffering from severe burns, were being transported on stretchers.
“As a doctor, I realized I could make a difference,” he reflected. “I was unharmed, which meant it was imperative that I do everything possible to help.”
The horrific incident claimed at least 270 lives when the Air India flight crashed into the premises of a medical college in Ahmedabad shortly after departure on Thursday. Tragically, out of the 242 passengers aboard, only one survived. Additionally, at least 29 individuals on the ground, including five medical students residing in the hostel, lost their lives.
It’s widely believed that the swift intervention by the trainee doctors and students, who rushed from the hostel in their efforts to rescue those trapped, significantly mitigated what could have been an even higher death toll.
Akshay Zala, a senior medical student present during the catastrophe, described the experience as akin to enduring an earthquake. “Visibility was practically nil due to the thick smoke and dust that filled the air. Breathing was difficult,” he recounted.
After reaching relative safety, Zala attended to his own injuries and bandaged a wound on his leg, then proceeded to assist others in the college’s trauma center.
By Monday, the crash site bustled with activity as excavators and workers endeavored to clear away debris. Officials conducted inspections in search of evidence that might reveal the cause behind the disaster.
Meanwhile, barely a kilometer from the scene, resilient trainee doctors were engaged in identifying victims through meticulous DNA testing amidst the fallout of one of India’s most devastating aviation tragedies.
Authorities in India have managed to return the remains of 47 victims to their families. The identities of 92 additional victims have been confirmed through DNA matching, with arrangements underway to hand over their bodies to awaiting relatives.
College dean Minakshi Parikh lauded the efforts of the doctors who, undeterred by the tragedy, continued their noble duty to rescue their peers from the wreckage and subsequently returned to work. “They have shown remarkable tenacity in saving lives,” Parikh stated.
Images from inside the hostel’s dining area showcased a scene of chaos, with aircraft debris and scattered luggage juxtaposed against tables still set with uneaten food.
“It’s inherent in us as humans, isn’t it? Our instinct to help the injured, especially those we know, becomes paramount,” Parikh remarked. “The doctors who managed to escape went back immediately to assist their peers trapped inside.”
“Their actions were crucial, especially considering the delay before formal rescue teams could arrive,” she added.