PM Modi To Visit Air India Plane Crash Site In Ahmedabad Today
An Air India flight crashed near Ahmedabad after takeoff, killing many. PM Modi to visit today; investigation underway. 242 onboard, including ex-CM Rupani and foreign nationals.
Tragedy struck just moments after takeoff on Wednesday when an Air India flight en route to London crashed into the boys' hostel of a medical college near Ahmedabad Airport, claiming numerous lives and sparking nationwide mourning. The aircraft, which had been airborne for a mere 59 seconds, issued a Mayday call before plunging into the residential facility, according to initial reports from aviation authorities.
PM Modi to Visit Crash Site Today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the crash site this afternoon. News agency ANI reported and posted on X that, "PM Narendra Modi will be visiting Gujarat's Ahmedabad today."
The ill-fated flight was carrying 242 passengers, including 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also on the passenger manifest. While his condition remains unconfirmed, multiple government sources have indicated that details will be released following official identification and communication with next of kin.
In a statement late last night, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan assured the public of a "comprehensive, transparent, and impartial investigation." He confirmed that black box data recovery and forensic examinations are already underway, with teams from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India collaborating with international aviation safety experts.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached the accident site in the evening and in his statement he said, “This afternoon, Air India flight AI-171 crashed and many passengers are feared dead. The entire nation is grieving and is standing together with the bereaved families… The central government received information within 10 minutes of the accident. I contacted the Gujarat Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Civil Aviation Minister. The PM also called within no time. All the central and state government departments are carrying out the rescue operation. There were 230 passengers and 12 crew members. There is some good news for one survivor. The death toll will be announced after DNA verification. I met the one survivor… Every department is carrying out the rescue operations in coordination. The plane carried almost 1,25,000 litres of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone… I visited the crash site. The retrieval of the dead bodies is almost complete. DNA samples of the family members are being collected. The family members in foreign countries are also informed. Around 1000 DNA tests will be done… The DNA samples of the dead bodies have also been collected… The bodies will be handed over after the DNA tests… In the review meeting, every aspect was discussed. The Aviation Minister has instructed that the investigation be carried out rapidly…”
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