Daijiworld Media Network- Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Jun 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, visited the crash site of Air India flight AI-171 on Friday, where 241 people lost their lives in what is being described as one of the worst aviation disasters in India's history.
The ill-fated flight, which took off from Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday en route to London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed moments after takeoff into a resident doctors’ hostel building, leaving behind a trail of devastation. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8, was carrying 242 passengers and crew, of whom only one British national of Indian origin survived.
Prime Minister Modi visited the site and later met with the lone survivor at the civil hospital. Expressing deep sorrow, he posted on X, “Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.”
Among the deceased were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. The aircraft was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an experienced Line Training Captain with over 8,200 hours of flight time, along with First Officer Clive Kundar.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the site a day earlier, stated that the intense heat caused by the burning of nearly 1.25 lakh litres of aviation fuel severely hampered initial rescue efforts. He also revealed that nearly 1,000 DNA tests have been undertaken for the identification of victims.
"In just 10 minutes of the incident, we got the information. The Prime Minister instantly called back, and personnel from the Union and state governments jointly initiated relief and rescue operations," Shah added.
As investigations into the crash continue, grief and disbelief echo across the country and beyond.