Doctors Struggle After Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Summary:In the aftermath of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, grieving resident doctors of BJ Medical College faced another shock, being denied easy access to their damaged hostel rooms and belongings. With no official help, many carried what little they could through tight security and overwhelming restrictions. This article sheds light on their ordeal, emotional testimonies, and the broader tragedy.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Doctors Struggle Amid Grief and Chaos
A plane crash is traumatic. But what if you’re a survivor and still denied dignity while picking up the pieces of your life?
That’s the reality for the resident doctors of BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad. The horrifying Air India plane crash that slammed into their hostel mess didn’t just claim lives, it shattered a sense of security and left survivors battling bureaucracy while mourning their losses.
The tragedy occurred just 32 seconds after takeoff, when a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner failed to gain height and crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel, bursting into flames.
Aftershock for Doctors: “We’re Not Criminals”
While still in shock, the doctors returned the next day to retrieve their personal belongings. Instead of receiving support, they faced tight security, long delays, and restricted access.
“We are being treated like we’ve done something wrong,” a senior doctor told TOI.
“Police are recording videos of us entering our own rooms. We just came to collect our belongings.”
Mobile phones were banned at the crash site, as authorities feared footage of the wreckage might surface online. Entry was only granted after names were noted and permissions approved.
No Help, No Transport - Just Plastic Bags and Dusty Hands
There was no official help to move personal items. The doctors carried what they could, using plastic bags, medical waste covers, and even balancing items on their heads. Some brought two-wheelers, others just stood in queues hoping for access.
Dr. Umane Karnani said, “I was alive only because I skipped lunch. I lost everything—documents, clothes, and certificates. My hands are still black from dust and ash.”
Families Left Waiting and Hurting
The tragedy didn’t end with the doctors. Family members of doctors staying in Atulyam-2, a building for Super Speciality doctors, were also affected.
Dr. Dhaval Patel from plastic surgery lost all his documents. “I survived because I was at the hospital,” he said.
A woman doctor shared, “I left my daughter with relatives just to collect my things. But even that has become a struggle.”
Harshad Thakkar, father of a paediatrician couple, said, “We had to wait for hours just to collect their belongings.”
A Community in Mourning
According to the Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) of BJ Medical College:
- Four MBBS students lost their lives
- 20 were seriously injured, out of which 11 have been discharged
- Four family members of doctors in Atulyam perished
- A resident doctor’s wife is still undergoing treatment
What Happened in Those 32 Seconds?
At 1:31 PM, the Dreamliner took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, and within seconds, a Mayday call was issued. But it was too late. Video footage and eyewitnesses confirm the aircraft failed to gain lift, crashing into the hostel and triggering a massive fire
Conclusion: From Grief to Grit
The Ahmedabad Air India crash has left scars, emotional, physical, and institutional. Beyond the loss of life and property, it’s the treatment of survivors that adds to the trauma. Resident doctors, who are healers by profession, now find themselves healing from an unimaginable personal loss, made worse by red tape and indifference.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
