Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Ahmedabad on Friday to assess the aftermath of the devastating Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash, which claimed 241 lives. The tragedy is one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent history.
PM Modi Visits Crash Site in Meghaninagar
Upon arrival at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, the Prime Minister immediately proceeded to the crash site in the Meghaninagar locality. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel accompanied him during the visit.
Modi Expresses Grief Over Tragedy
Deeply moved by the loss, PM Modi expressed his condolences, calling the incident “heartbreaking beyond words.” On social media platform X, he shared that he has been in continuous contact with ministers and emergency officials working on rescue and relief efforts.
ALSO READ| Air India flight to London with 242 passengers crashes near Ahmedabad airport
High-Level Probe Ordered
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu inspected the site. Kinjarapu confirmed that a high-level committee has been set up to investigate the cause of the crash.
Only One Survivor in Catastrophic Crash
Out of the 242 onboard, only one passenger—a British citizen of Indian descent—survived. The flight, AI 171, had just taken off from Ahmedabad for London Gatwick Airport when it lost altitude around 1:30 PM on Thursday. Seconds later, it crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College and burst into flames.
Pilot Sent Emergency Signal
Air Traffic Control confirmed the pilot issued a ‘Mayday’ signal shortly after takeoff, indicating a critical emergency. Experts are speculating that both engine failure due to loss of thrust or a possible bird strike might have led to the tragedy.
ALSO READ| Air India Flight AI-171 Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad: MAYDAY Call Before Tragic Accident
Harrowing Scenes from the Crash Site
Grim visuals from the scene showed rescue personnel retrieving bodies from the charred debris and taking the injured—many with severe burns—to the nearby civil hospital. Among the deceased were at least five students from BJ Medical College.
Details of Flight and Victims
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the aircraft was flown by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had over 8,200 flying hours, along with First Officer Clive Kundar, who had clocked 1,100 hours. Air India confirmed that the deceased included 169 Indian nationals, 53 from the UK, 7 from Portugal, and 1 from Canada.
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