Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the crash site of Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad, describing the accident as "beyond words" while offering condolences to the bereaved families.
The horrific crash, which happened during an afternoon flight on Thursday, claimed the lives of 241 individuals, one of the worst aviation catastrophes in Indian history.
When he visited the crash site in Meghaninagar, PM Modi was joined by Union Minister C.R. Paatil, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Subsequently, he visited Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to see survivors and injured people when the plane crashed into a hostel that accommodated students of BJ Medical College.
"We are deeply saddened by the air disaster in Ahmedabad. Losing so many lives suddenly and tragically like this is beyond description," the Prime Minister tweeted on X. "Condolences to all affected families. We realize the pain they feel and also know that the loss left behind will be felt for years to come. Om Shanti."
Flight AI-171, operated by Indian Airlines and flying from Ahmedabad to Gatwick in London, had 242 persons on board—230 passengers, 10 flight attendants, and two pilots. The aircraft crashed barely half a minute after takeoff and crashed into a crowded residential complex close to BJ Medical College. Only one person has been confirmed to have survived the accident—Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British citizen of Indian origin. Ramesh was occupying seat 11A, and his survival has been described as miraculous.
Following the inspection of the wreckage, PM Modi explained that the scene was most distressing. "Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The devastation scene is heart-wrenching. Met officials and tireless teams working in the aftermath. Our thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones in this senseless tragedy," he posted on X.
The Prime Minister also spoke to a number of students and hospital workers who were wounded when the plane hit their hostel. They were in the canteen during lunchtime when the plane plunged into the building without giving them a chance to react.
A comprehensive inquiry is currently under way. The cause of the crash has been ordered to be ascertained by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Forensic experts are in the process of picking up evidence from the wreckage-scarred area, and there will be a formal report after an in-depth investigation.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who had come to Ahmedabad from Vijayawada after the accident, had confirmed the AAIB's role. "We are taking every step to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation," he added.
PM Modi, who governed Gujarat as Chief Minister for over a decade, had earlier expressed his sorrow on X, stating: “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it.”
While the rescue workers continue to haul bodies out and treat the injured, the country mourns the loss of a tragedy that will remain ingrained in its memory for years to come.
Read also| Ex-Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Dead in Ahmedabad Air Crash
Read also| During Op Sindoor Gathering, Tharoor Reflects on India’s Unified Global Stand on Terror
