Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where he met Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the only survivor of the devastating Air India AI-171 plane crash, which killed 241 people a day earlier.
Vishwashkumar, a British national of Indian origin, was seated in row 11 by the left window, just behind an emergency exit in the economy section of the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. His position is believed to have played a critical role in his survival, officials said.
The tragic flight carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national. After meeting Vishwash Kumar and other injured individuals, the Prime Minister expressed deep sorrow at the tragic loss of lives.
Before arriving at the hospital, PM Modi visited the crash site near Meghaninagar, where the aircraft went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad International Airport. He reviewed the ground situation and held a meeting with officials at the airport.
Taking to X, the Prime Minister 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.”
In a follow-up post, he added: “We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families. We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come. Om Shanti.”
PM Modi was accompanied during his visit by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union MoS Murlidhar Mohol, and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
The Air India flight took off from Runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST on Thursday. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the pilot issued a Mayday call, but the aircraft stopped responding soon after and crashed just outside the airport perimeter, triggering a massive blaze with thick black smoke.
The plane was being operated by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flight experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the site a day earlier, said that high fuel load — nearly 125,000 litres — and the resulting high temperatures meant no chance of survival for the other passengers. He noted that over 1,000 DNA tests were underway to confirm the identities of the victims.
“The plane carried almost 125,000 litres of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone,” Shah told the press, adding that the PM and all concerned departments were informed within 10 minutes of the crash.
A formal investigation into the accident has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.
Minister Naidu announced that the government will form a high-level committee comprising experts from various fields to analyse the crash and recommend measures to improve aviation safety.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also preparing to send a team of investigators to assist in the probe.
Meanwhile, Air India, owned by the Tata Group, has announced ₹1 crore compensation for the family of each deceased passenger. The airline has also activated a dedicated passenger hotline:
- India: 1800 5691 444
- International: +91 8062779200
The incident remains one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent years.
