PM visits crash site, meets injured at hospital

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the site of the Air India Flight AI 171 crash near Ahmedabad and met injured victims at the Civil Hospital here.

Arriving early in the day, Modi surveyed the wreckage at BJ Medical College in the Meghaninagar area. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner had on Thursday plunged into a medical college hostel block just seconds after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

He was briefed by officials from the National Disaster Response Force, aviation authorities and local administrators coordinating recovery and investigation efforts.

"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," Modi said.

The PM then proceeded to the Civil Hospital in Asarwa, where many of the injured, including students and staff from the hostel, are being treated.

On social media, Modi posted: "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 bereaved families. Om Shanti."

The PM acknowledged the tireless efforts of emergency responders, many of whom worked through the night amid burning debris and crumbling structures.

Modi also met with Viswash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British-Indian businessman and the sole survivor of the crash.

At the hospital, Ramesh described his survival as “a miracle of fate and perhaps God’s will.”

PM Modi also met the family of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani who was among the long list of casualties.

Later, the PM chaired a review meeting at the Ahmedabad airport with top authorities.