GG News Bureau
Ahmedabad, 13th June: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ahmedabad today, personally visiting the devastating crash site of Air India Flight AI-171. The tragic accident, which occurred a day earlier, claimed 241 lives, making it one of the worst air disasters in recent times.
The Prime Minister landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport and was immediately driven to the crash site in the Meghaninagar area. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel accompanied him.
During his visit, PM Modi also met Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the crash, an Indian-origin British national, at a local hospital. On Thursday, PM Modi, who previously served as Gujarat Chief Minister for 12 years, had expressed his profound shock on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.”
Investigation Underway
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had already visited the site on Thursday to assess the situation. Minister Kinjarapu confirmed that the Centre has now formed a high-level committee to investigate the crash.
The fatal incident occurred mere seconds after the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Flight AI-171, departed Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport for London Gatwick. Officials reported that the aircraft lost altitude shortly after taking off around 1:30 PM. It then crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors in Meghaninagar, erupting in flames and sending thick black smoke spiraling skyward. Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control (ATC) confirmed the pilot issued a ‘Mayday’ distress call soon after takeoff.
Aviation experts, analyzing available visuals, suggested lack of thrust in both engines and a bird hit as probable causes. Visuals from the wreckage showed grim scenes of bodies being recovered and injured individuals, many with burns, being rushed to the nearby city civil hospital. Tragically, at least five students at the medical college were also killed in the accident.
Victim Details Confirmed
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated the aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 hours of experience) and First Officer Clive Kundar (1,100 hours of experience).
Air India officially confirmed that 241 people were killed. The victims included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national. The airline added that the survivor is a British national of Indian origin.
