Heroic Rescue Efforts Following Plane Crash in Ahmedabad

In Ahmedabad, Gujarat, a plane crash occurred near BJ Medical College, and 56-year-old construction entrepreneur Raju Patel was among the first civilians to offer assistance. Living just minutes away, Patel and his team arrived at the crash site within five minutes. What they encountered was a horrifying scene—flames, thick smoke, and desperate cries for help. Patel recounted that initially, the fire was intense, preventing them from getting close for the first 15 to 20 minutes. As emergency services, including the fire brigade and 108 ambulances, began to arrive, he and his team sprang into action. Lacking medical stretchers, they used sarees and sheets to transport the injured to safety.

By 4:00 PM on June 12, as the rescue operation stabilized, Patel and his team shifted their focus to retrieving personal belongings scattered at the crash site. They meticulously sifted through the charred items and debris, uncovering valuable possessions, including:

70 tolas of gold jewelry

80,000 rupees in cash

Bangles and other jewelry

Passports and other essential documents

A copy of the Bhagavad Gita

All recovered items were promptly handed over to the authorities. Patel and his colleagues were allowed to continue their efforts at the site until 9:00 PM.

Patel expressed his gratitude for being able to help. A seasoned volunteer from the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bombings, he described this plane crash as the most devastating incident he had ever witnessed. He remarked that the destruction and loss from this tragedy are memories he will never forget.