Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the site of the tragic Air India AI-171 plane crash in Ahmedabad, where 265 people lost their lives. The Prime Minister also met with the sole survivor and injured victims at the city’s Civil Hospital.
“We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families,”
“We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families,”“We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families,” PM Modi posted on X.
PM’s Visit to the Crash Site
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent around 20 minutes at the crash site in Meghaninagar, where the ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner (AI-171) had crashed into the BJ Medical College complex on Thursday afternoon. The aircraft, which had just taken off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, lost altitude and struck the college’s hostel and mess building, triggering a massive explosion and fire.
The site was strewn with debris, and the structural damage to the college building was visible. At the site, the Prime Minister was briefed by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, and Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi on how the aircraft struck the college hostel and mess shortly after takeoff.
Meeting with Survivors and Injured
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Modi then visited the Civil Hospital, where he met Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the crash.
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The Prime Minister also visited the C7 ward, where 25 injured people are receiving treatment.
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He interacted with the doctors and spent about 10 minutes with the patients.
High-Level Review and Investigation
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The Prime Minister later held a review meeting with state and civil aviation officials at the GujSail office near Ahmedabad airport.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Naidu had also visited the crash site a day earlier.
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The government has ordered a high-level probe, and a committee has been set up to investigate the incident.
Rescue and Cleanup Operations
“Cleanup operations at the crash site continued overnight and are now in the final stages.” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai.
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The bodies were charred beyond recognition, with 265 victims sent to the city Civil Hospital.
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Rescue teams are still searching for the aircraft’s black box (flight data and cockpit voice recorders), which is critical to understanding the cause of the crash.
About the Crash
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Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was carrying 242 people, including:
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168 Indians
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53 British nationals
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7 Portuguese citizens
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1 Canadian
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Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also on board and found dead.
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The plane lost altitude rapidly shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and crashed in a ball of fire into the BJ Medical College complex.
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Among the victims were four MBBS students and a doctor’s wife present at the college campus.
