PM visits AI 171 plane crash site, meets injured victims
Gandhinagar: A day after one of the worst air-tragedies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the Air India 171 plane crash site in Ahmedabad. He met the injured at the civil hospital, including the lone survivor of the tragedy, and chaired a meeting of top Union and state govt officials.
Modi also met bereaved family members of former chief minister Vijay Rupani during his visit to the city.
The PM spent about 20 minutes at the site inspecting where the Air India Dreamliner 787 crashed moments after take-off on Thursday afternoon. Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and state minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi apprised the PM of how the plane crashed into the hostel building and mess of the B J Medical College.
The PM was also accompanied by CM Bhupendra Patel, chief secretary Pankaj Joshi, DGP Vikas Sahay and others.
Modi met injured victims, including Viswashkumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the plane crash. The PM was seen interacting with Viswash for a while before visiting the C7 ward of civil hospital where 25 injured persons are being treated. About 50 injured persons are being treated at the C7 and C8 wards of the hospital.
The PM spoke to doctors and other medical personnel at the hospital.
"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," the PM wrote on his X handle after his visits.
Posting pictures of his visit to the crash site and the hospital, the PM said, "The scene of devastation is saddening.
Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives in this unimaginable tragedy." Modi further said, "Met those injured in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, including the lone survivor and assured them that we are with them and their families in this tough time. The entire nation is praying for their speedy recovery.
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Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been tasked with the inquiry into the incident.
On Friday, he posted on his X handle, "We are extending every possible support to the affected families. A thorough investigation is underway and all efforts are being made to uncover the cause of the incident." He also posted that the flight data recorder of the ill-fated plane has been recovered and this marks an important step forward in the investigation.
The PM also convened a high-level meeting in Ahmedabad with Gujarat CM, central and state ministers and officials of the Union and state govts to review the progress of relief work and investigations.
The London-bound aircraft with 242 people on board, including former chief minister Vijay Rupani, crashed moments after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday.
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