Amid ongoing relief and rescue efforts following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI 171, reports have emerged of looting at the crash site, where a residential hostel for intern doctors suffered significant damage. According to local media, including Gujarat Samachar, miscreants allegedly entered the building under the guise of civilian volunteers and broke into almirahs and safes in abandoned rooms.
Valuables including cash, jewellery, and mobile phones were reportedly stolen from rooms vacated in the chaos following the crash. The looters are believed to have taken advantage of the confusion as rescue operations unfolded.
The ill-fated flight crashed into the doctors’ hostel located on the premises of Civil Hospital and BJ Medical College, triggering a massive fire. The third, fourth, and fifth floors of the building were severely damaged. At least eight fatalities have been reported, and many more are feared injured.
Eyewitnesses described the horror as the aircraft, flying unusually low, struck the residential complex. “The plane crashed into the residential quarters of doctors and nursing staff,” said Haresh Shah, speaking to PTI. “Several five-storey buildings in the area caught fire, and many people were injured.”
Another resident reported that multiple vehicles in the compound were also engulfed in flames following the crash.
Authorities are continuing rescue efforts while investigating both the cause of the crash and the reported incidents of theft.