In the aftermath of the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a review meeting with senior officials at the Ahmedabad airport to assess the situation and ongoing relief efforts.
Visuals from the meeting show PM Modi being briefed by officials about the circumstances surrounding the crash of Air India flight AI-171, which was bound for London Gatwick and crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, killing 241 people.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister visited the crash site to take stock of the ground situation. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote: “Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.”
PM Modi arrived in Ahmedabad in the morning and was accompanied by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and other key officials during his visit. Following the inspection of the crash site, he also went to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to meet those who were injured.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had earlier reviewed the situation with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, said the intensity of the crash and subsequent fire — fueled by nearly 125,000 litres of aviation fuel — left no chance of survival for the majority of passengers.
“Due to the high temperature from the fuel combustion, there was no way anyone could be saved,” Shah said, adding that the exact number of confirmed deaths will be known only after DNA identification. He revealed that around 1,000 DNA tests have already been conducted to help identify the victims.
Shah also described the swift response following the tragedy: “Within 10 minutes of the incident, we received the information. I immediately informed the Prime Minister and other key departments. The PM promptly responded, and both Union and State agencies mobilised for rescue and relief.”
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people including 12 crew members, had issued a Mayday call shortly after takeoff from Runway 23 at Ahmedabad International Airport. Moments later, the aircraft crashed into a residential hostel building, leading to one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s recent history.
A formal investigation into the incident is currently underway, led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
