“A Tragedy Beyond Words”: PM Modi Visits Ahmedabad Crash Site, Meets Survivors

Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad on Friday and met with the injured survivors at a local hospital. Expressing deep sorrow over the catastrophic accident that claimed 241 lives, the Prime Minister called it a tragedy “beyond words.”

The aircraft, operating as Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed minutes after take-off on Thursday afternoon, plunging into a residential complex near BJ Medical College in the Meghaninagar area. Among the dead were 230 passengers, 10 cabin crew, and two pilots. Only one passenger, a British national of Indian origin, survived the disaster.

“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,” Prime Minister Modi wrote on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle after the visit.

Arriving at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport earlier in the day, PM Modi was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and Union Minister C.R. Paatil. He was briefed at the crash site by local officials, rescue teams, and disaster response personnel.

Describing the devastation as “saddening,” the Prime Minister noted the tireless efforts of emergency responders. “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 wrote on X.

Following his site visit, the Prime Minister went to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where he met with survivors and those injured in the accident. This included the lone survivor of the crash, 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who had been seated in seat 11A. PM Modi also met with individuals who had been injured when the falling aircraft struck buildings on the ground.

The Prime Minister, who previously served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for over a decade, was visibly emotional during the hospital visit. On Thursday evening, he had already posted a message of grief and solidarity, stating: “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.”

Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who rushed to Ahmedabad from Vijayawada shortly after the crash, confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been tasked with leading the investigation. A forensic team has also begun collecting evidence from the crash site, and black box data is expected to provide critical insights into the cause of the accident.

The crash is now being described as one of the worst aviation disasters in Indian history. The government has pledged a thorough investigation to determine what went wrong and to ensure accountability. Meanwhile, condolences have continued to pour in from across India and the world, as the country mourns the loss of so many lives.