NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Friday, a day after the deadly accident killed 241 people, including 12 crew members.
He was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and senior Union ministers as he reviewed the situation on the ground.
The crash, which occurred shortly after take-off on June 12, involved Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick.
Among the 241 people onboard were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian national.
According to the airline, one passenger miraculously survived the crash. The survivor, a British national of Indian origin, is currently undergoing treatment.
Final moments and Mayday call
The aircraft, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal — a Line Training Captain with over 8,200 hours of flying experience — took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Shortly after take-off from runway 23, the crew issued a Mayday call to Air Traffic Control (ATC).
However, all communication was lost moments later, and the aircraft crashed just beyond the airport perimeter into the BJ Medical College campus in Meghaninagar — specifically into a residential building housing young doctors.
An official said thick black smoke was seen billowing from the site minutes after impact. The crash sparked a massive fire, fuelled by an estimated 125,000 litres of aviation fuel on board.
No chance of survival, says Amit Shah
Union home minister Amit Shah, who was briefed by Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel shortly after the incident, said there was virtually “no chance of saving anyone” due to the extreme temperatures caused by the burning fuel.
Speaking to reporters, Shah said, “The moment we received the information, I alerted the Prime Minister, the Gujarat Home Minister, the Civil Aviation Ministry and all key agencies. The PM called back immediately, and a coordinated rescue effort began within minutes.”
Shah also revealed that over 1,000 DNA samples had been collected to help identify victims. The official death toll will be released after these tests are completed.
Formal investigation launched
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which operates under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has launched a formal probe into the incident.
The investigation will follow international guidelines laid out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Naidu also announced that a high-level committee of experts from multiple disciplines will be formed to examine the circumstances of the crash and suggest measures to enhance aviation safety in India.
In a related development, the US-based National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is preparing to send a team of investigators to assist with the probe, as per international protocols involving aircraft built by American manufacturers.
Airline response and compensation
Tata Group, the owner of Air India, has announced a compensation of ₹1 crore (approximately £95,000) for the families of each deceased passenger.
A dedicated helpline has also been set up for families and relatives of those on board. For callers within India, the number is 1800 5691 444. For those calling from abroad, the helpline number is +91 8062779200.
Air India Managing Director and CEO Campbell Wilson also visited the crash site to assess the situation and support ongoing relief efforts.
Site of devastation
The crash left a trail of devastation in the BJ Medical College campus, where the aircraft’s nose struck a residential block for junior doctors, while the tail section hit the doctors' mess just after a large group had finished lunch.
The fire and impact killed at least three resident doctors and the pregnant wife of another. A 13-year-old boy who worked at a tea stall nearby also died.
One doctor described the scene as “apocalyptic”, with smoke, heat, and screams filling the air. Many of the doctors present at the site joined rescue efforts, pulling out bodies and tending to the injured despite the trauma unfolding around them.
PM Modi visits crash site
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