Ahmedabad Plane Crash: PM Modi Meets Injured At Civil Hospital

PM Modi visits Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to meet the sole survivor of the tragic Air India AI-171 crash that killed 241 on a London-bound flight.

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: PM Modi Meets Injured At Civil Hospital

Source : Twitter

In a poignant moment that underscored the scale of the national tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on Friday morning to meet with the lone survivor and medical personnel caring for those affected by the catastrophic Air India flight AI-171 crash.

The Prime Minister’s visit came just hours after the fatal accident that claimed the lives of 241 people aboard the London-bound flight. Joining him at the hospital were Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, and Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi. Their presence reflected the gravity of the incident and the government's commitment to ensuring comprehensive relief efforts.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi was received in Ahmedabad by CM Patel, Minister Kinjarapu, and Union Minister CR Paatil before making his way to the crash site and hospital. The security was tight, and emotions were palpable, as the nation grappled with the aftermath of one of the deadliest air disasters in recent memory.

A Devastating Flight

Air India flight AI-171 had departed from Ahmedabad International Airport en route to London’s Gatwick Airport when tragedy struck just minutes after takeoff. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft lifted off at 1:39 PM IST (0809 UTC) from Runway 23. A distress Mayday call was made shortly after, but further communication from the aircraft ceased abruptly.

Tragically, the aircraft crashed just beyond the airport’s perimeter, erupting into flames. Eyewitnesses reported seeing dense black smoke billowing from the wreckage, painting a grim picture of the devastating impact.

The flight was carrying 241 passengers and crew, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian citizen. Authorities confirmed that one British national of Indian origin miraculously survived the crash — the sole beacon of hope amid an otherwise heartbreaking scene.

Experienced Crew, Unforgiving Circumstances

The ill-fated aircraft was captained by Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned Line Training Captain with over 8,200 flying hours, and co-piloted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of experience. Despite their expertise, the situation spiraled beyond control in mere moments.

An official investigation is now underway to determine the cause of the crash and why the aircraft was unable to sustain flight after takeoff. The tragedy has left aviation authorities and safety experts searching for answers as families await closure.

High-Intensity Fire Leaves No Room for Rescue

On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to review the situation and assess the ongoing investigation. Shah painted a harrowing picture of the crash site, stating that the plane was carrying approximately 1.25 lakh litres of fuel, resulting in an intense fire that left no chance of survival for most on board.

“I visited the crash site. Due to the extremely high temperatures caused by the burning of nearly 125,000 litres of aviation fuel, there was no possibility of rescuing anyone alive,” Shah told the media, visibly moved by the devastation.

He further revealed that the process of identifying victims is underway, with nearly 1,000 DNA tests conducted to confirm the identities of the deceased. The final death toll will be made public once the forensic analysis is complete.