Burning fuel, intense heat left no chance to save anyone: Amit Shah
Gandhinagar: Union home minister
Amit Shah
, who rushed to Ahmedabad on hearing the news of the plane crash, said that the aircraft carried about 1.25 lakh litres of fuel, and the temperature had increased to an extent where there was no chance of saving lives.
Stating that there was one survivor in the crash whom he met at the hospital, Shah said that authorities will provide the final death toll after conducting DNA sampling.
He said that the aviation department began an investigation into the plane crash, and the Union civil aviation minister issued instructions to complete the inquiry at the earliest.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the crash site and meeting the injured at the hospital, Shah condoled the death of the plane crash victims.
"The death toll will be known after the DNA sampling is completed. Of the 242 persons on board the plane, there is one survivor. The plane had 1.25 lakh litres of fuel, and the temperature increased to such a level that there was no chance of saving lives. The state govt has done a commendable job in responding to the plane crash," Shah said.
He said that all the bodies had been recovered from the crash site, and the task of collecting DNA samples is ongoing.
The victims' relatives who are abroad have also been informed about the incident and their DNA samples will be collected as soon as they reach here. "About 1,000 DNA tests will have to be conducted. Gujarat has the facility for these tests. The mortal remains of victims will be handed over to relatives after DNA sampling," Shah said.
Chief minister Bhupendra Patel, who was in Bardoli for an official function, rushed back to Ahmedabad after the air tragedy and supervised relief and rescue operations at the crash site.
The CM also accompanied Union home minister Amit Shah to the crash site and the hospital where the injured are admitted. He directed the FSL and NFSU to expedite the process of collecting DNA samples as frantic relatives rushed to the Civil Hospital in search of their loved ones.
Lauding the efforts of the agencies that participated in the rescue and relief operations, Amit Shah said, "Accidents cannot be prevented, but the administration's preparedness is tested during such times."
He said that the entire country stands in solidarity with the family members of the victims. Shah said that the Union govt was informed within 10 minutes of the crash, and both the central and state govts launched a concerted relief and rescue operation.
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