Amit Shah cites fuel fire as key obstacle in Ahmedabad plane crash rescue, ET Infra
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Airport resumes limited operations
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday visited the site of the Air India aircraft crash in Ahmedabad to take stock of the ongoing relief and rescue operations.Shah was accompanied by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi.Speaking to reporters later in the day, Shah said the temperature inside the aircraft was so high due to burning fuel that there was "no chance to save anyone.""There was 1.25 lakh litre of fuel inside the plane and it caught heat, so it was impossible to save anyone," Shah said.He added, "The number of those killed will be officially released by the authorities after DNA test and identification of the victims." The only relief is that one person survived and I am coming here after meeting him, he said.Shah also said, "The process of collecting DNA samples from bodies of those killed in the plane crash is over. Forensic Science Laboratory and National Forensic Sciences University in Gujarat will conduct DNA tests of the victims."The Home Minister expressed condolences on behalf of the nation. "The entire nation is in deep shock following the tragedy," he said.Following the crash, around 150 personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed to support rescue efforts. According to the CRPF, troops from the 100 Battalion of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and personnel from the Group Centre in Gandhinagar were rushed to the site.Additionally, the Gujarat government mobilised three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising 90 personnel, to assist in relief operations.The Ahmedabad airport on Thursday resumed operations with limited flights after a brief halt following the crash of an Air India 's UK-bound passenger aircraft. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport , Ahmedabad, is now operational with limited flights," a spokesperson of the airport said.
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