Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site of the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Friday, calling the scene “saddening” as rescue and investigation efforts intensified. The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI-171 to London, crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon, killing at least 260 people, including passengers, crew, and residents of the BJ Medical College doctors’ hostel in Meghaninagar. Only one person, a British national of Indian origin, survived and is currently under treatment at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.
The aircraft, under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar, issued a ‘Mayday’ distress call moments after take-off at 1:39 pm, before losing altitude and crashing into the residential quarters near the airport. The plane was heavily fuelled for the long-haul journey, which contributed to the intense explosion and fire that followed the crash, making rescue operations extremely challenging. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the site earlier, said that the high temperatures from burning 1.25 lakh litres of fuel hampered immediate rescue efforts.
With flight operations at Ahmedabad airport suspended, Indian Railways deployed Vande Bharat trains to help stranded passengers reach other major cities. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) ramped up its presence, deploying seven teams and recovering 81 bodies as of Friday morning, though the overall death toll is expected to rise as more remains are found in the wreckage. Officials said at least 50 students in the hostel were injured, and DNA testing is underway to help identify victims.
Black Box Found
A major breakthrough came with the recovery of the aircraft’s black box, which will be crucial in uncovering the cause of the tragedy. The black box, consisting of the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, will be analysed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The devices are expected to reveal whether the crash was due to mechanical failure, bird strike, engine issues, or other factors, with initial findings likely to emerge within days.
International Probe Begins
In a significant development, the United States National Transportation Safety Board and a British investigation team have joined the probe, as international experts from Boeing and other agencies arrive in Ahmedabad to support Indian authorities. This marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 globally, and the first wide-body aircraft disaster for an Indian airline in four decades.
Prime Minister Modi, who was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, met with the sole survivor and families of victims at the hospital, assuring them of all possible support and swift compensation. He expressed his shock and sorrow, stating, “The scene of devastation is saddening. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy”.
The central government has set up a high-level committee to investigate the crash, and authorities have promised a transparent probe with international cooperation. As the nation mourns, rescue and relief operations continue at full pace, with officials urging patience as the investigation unfolds and more details emerge about the cause of this unprecedented tragedy.
