Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Widespread panic erupted online following alarming reports of an Air India plane crashing into a student hostel at Ahmedabad's B.J. Medical College. The news, which claimed multiple students were injured and rushed to the hospital, was false.
The dramatic event was actually a large-scale, pre-planned mock drill designed to test the city's emergency response capabilities.
The highly realistic simulation, held on December 21, 2023, was a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies, including the airport authority, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, fire departments, and health officials. The scenario involved a simulated plane crash near the airport, with the crash site staged at the B.J. Medical College (BJMC) UG hostel mess to test how responders would handle a crisis in a densely populated urban area.
The "injured students" seen being rushed to the hospital were participants in the drill, playing the role of victims to help create an authentic training environment for medical and rescue teams. The exercise aimed to evaluate the coordination, speed, and effectiveness of various departments in a disaster situation.
However, the lifelike nature of the drill, complete with simulated wreckage and emergency vehicles, led to immediate and sensationalized reporting on social media and some news outlets. The false information spread rapidly, causing significant public alarm.
Authorities have since clarified that there was no actual plane crash, no Air India flight was involved, and no one was genuinely injured. The incident underscores the importance of verifying information during breaking news events and highlights the city's commitment to ensuring its emergency services are prepared for any real-world tragedy.
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