Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken serious note of the Air India flight crash near Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar area and has spoken to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Home Minister Amit Shah, directing them to ensure immediate relief and rescue measures.
According to sources, PM Modi instructed both ministers to rush to the crash site and provide all necessary assistance to those affected. The Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed that Minister Ram Mohan Naidu is heading to Ahmedabad to personally oversee rescue operations.
The Prime Minister has asked to be kept regularly updated on the situation and stressed the need for swift and coordinated efforts by all agencies involved. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and assured full Central assistance for rescue and recovery efforts.
The tragic crash involved Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the aircraft went down shortly after takeoff, carrying 242 people, including two pilots and ten cabin crew members.
The DGCA stated that the aircraft, under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar, took off from Ahmedabad at 13:39 IST. A mayday call was received, but communication was lost shortly afterward. The aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter, with heavy black smoke seen at the crash site.
Rescue operations are underway, with multiple agencies, including NDRF teams, mobilised for emergency response and medical aid.