It was supposed to be just another night for the medical students of B.J. Medical College. But before sunrise, their dormitory became a crash site. A Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operated by Air India, spiraled out of control shortly after takeoff—and slammed straight into their building.

At least 20 medical students were killed, most of them in their sleep. Over 50 others were injured, several critically, and five remain missing. Officials fear the death toll will rise.

One of the youngest victims was 13-year-old Akash Patni, a homeless boy who had been sleeping peacefully on the sidewalk outside. The plane’s debris crushed his small frame before he could even wake.

In total, 204 bodies have been recovered, with over 270 feared dead, including passengers, crew, and residents on the ground. More than a dozen bodies are burned beyond recognition—families are being asked to provide DNA samples.

Flight AI171 was en route to London, carrying 242 people. The pilot issued a mayday just 11 seconds after takeoff, reporting an engine failure. Seconds later, the aircraft lost control and crashed into a densely populated area near the Meghani Nagar neighborhood—right into a residential building filled with future doctors and hospital staff.

In the dining hall, untouched meals and scattered books tell the story of young lives interrupted. One eyewitness described it as “a war zone in the middle of a medical campus.”

The Indian Air Force and emergency services rushed to the scene. Hospitals nearby are overwhelmed, and temporary morgues have been set up. Two black boxes have been recovered, and U.S. and international aviation experts are now involved in the investigation.

Authorities say the cause may be mechanical failure, a software glitch, or worse—but no theory is being ruled out. The nation mourns not only the passengers but a generation of doctors who never got the chance to save lives.