Tata Group Chief N. Chandrasekaran Friday lamented the tragic Air India plane crash Friday, terming it "one of the darkest days" in the company's history. The tragedy, which took place in Ahmedabad, killed 241 passengers and crew, sending the country—and the Tata Group—into mourning.
In a statement laced with emotion, Chandrasekaran commented, "This is a moment of great pain for all of us. What occurred yesterday cannot be explained. We are greatly shocked and grieving." He pondered on the depth of the tragedy, adding, "To lose even one is heart-wrenching. To lose all of them in an instant is really something beyond words."
The crash has raised widespread sorrow throughout the nation and posed serious questions about the safety of aviation. In response, Indian, UK, and US investigators have descended upon the crash site to identify the cause of the accident.
Chandrasekaran asserted that the Tata Group would cooperate with the investigation fully, promising transparency. "We are committed to cooperating fully with the authorities. There will be no holding back of information," he said.
In a response to public alarm and speculation over the cause of the crash, he called for restraint and calm. "I know the anguish and frustration people feel today. Some of the hypotheses being put out may be true, others may not be. I call for patience—let the truth come out through the investigation."
He reassured the victims' families and the public that verified facts would be released at the right time. "We owe that honesty to the loved ones of those who were lost, to the crew and pilots who served with dedication, and to every person who flies with Air India."
Chandrasekaran reaffirmed that safety has remained the most important priority ever since the Tata Group acquired Air India. "Our first duty has always been every single passenger's safety. That is non-negotiable," he added.
While words cannot undo the anguish of the bereaved, Chandrasekaran promised that the Tata Group would stand by them fully. "We shall get together as one family, as one Group, to seek meaningful ways to assist the families of the victims," he concluded.
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