PM Modi Visits Ahmedabad Hospital to Meet Air India Crash Survivor

Prime Minister Modi's Visit to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad to meet Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the recent Air India plane crash that tragically claimed the lives of 241 passengers.

Vishwashkumar, a British citizen of Indian descent, was seated in the left window seat of row 11, located directly behind an emergency exit. The ill-fated flight included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national, according to airline officials.

During his visit, PM Modi also interacted with other patients who were injured in the crash of the Air India flight to London, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad International Airport, crashing into a nearby medical college complex.

Before heading to the hospital, the Prime Minister assessed the crash site and held a meeting with airport officials in Ahmedabad.

PM Modi shared images from his visit to the crash site on social media, expressing his sorrow over the devastation. He stated, "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."

He further expressed, "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."

Accompanying PM Modi during his visit were 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 AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8, which was headed for Gatwick Airport in London, crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. Reports indicate that only one of the 242 individuals on board survived the incident.

The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with over 8,200 hours of flying experience, along with First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) noted that the aircraft took off from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It issued a Mayday call but subsequently failed to respond to ATC communications. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff, outside the airport perimeter.

Witnesses reported heavy black smoke emanating from the crash site. Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to gather detailed information about the incident.

Shah stated that the high temperatures from burning approximately 125,000 liters of fuel made survival impossible for anyone on board the Air India flight. He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, noting that the official death toll would be confirmed only after DNA testing.

Shah mentioned that around 1,000 DNA tests have been conducted thus far. "The plane carried almost 125,000 liters of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone… I visited the crash site," he told reporters.

"We received information about the incident within 10 minutes. I then informed the Prime Minister, the Gujarat Home Minister, the Control Room of the Home Department, the Civil Aviation Department, and the Civil Aviation Minister. The Prime Minister promptly called back, and personnel from both the Union and state governments mobilized for relief and rescue operations," he added.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, part of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is responsible for investigating aircraft accidents in India. A formal investigation into the tragic crash of Air India flight 171, which resulted in 241 fatalities, has been initiated, as confirmed by the Union Civil Aviation Minister.

"Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in accordance with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)," Naidu posted on social media.

He also announced that the Indian government would form a high-level committee of experts from various fields to analyze the crash and develop strategies to enhance aviation safety to prevent future incidents.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a U.S. federal agency authorized to investigate civil aviation accidents, is preparing to send a team of investigators to India to assist with the investigation of the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash.

The Tata group-owned airline has established a dedicated hotline, 1800 5691 444, for passengers seeking more information. International callers can reach out at +91 8062779200. The Tata Group has also announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of each victim who lost their lives in the crash.