Ahmedabad Air India Plane Crash: Former NAL Official Suspects Possible Fuel Contamination Leading To Engine Problem And Thrust Loss

"If we look into the possibility of both the engines malfunctioning, it cannot be due to bird strike because if it is due to bird strike then you will get some arcing sparking and smoke and both the engines will not encounter the bird strike at the same time...One of the reasons that can cause thrust loss, power loss, which prevented the aircraft from climbing, is fuel contamination...So if the fuel is contaminated, both engines will behave the same way and the thrust generated is less and the aircraft could not sustain the climb rate...It descended and it fell because it contained more than 35 tons of fuel to reach London...The moment it crashed, there was a big, huge fireball..," says Saligram J Murlidhar, Former Deputy Director of NAL (National Aerospace Laboratories).

"It was my solemn privilege to pay tribute to victims of the tragic Air India crash. My thoughts are with the many families in India and the UK affected by Thursday's events. The FCDO continues to work all hours to support those who have contacted us for assistance," tweets the foreign office minister for the Indo-Pacific after her visit to India House in London.

“We are in shock. Prateek was supposed to attend our silver jubilee alumni meet in Belagavi this September. He had confirmed his participation and was in regular contact with us on our WhatsApp group. It's hard to believe he’s gone," said his classmate, Dr Jyoti Benni. Dr Prateek Joshi, his wife Dr Komi Joshi, and their three minor children died in the plane crash, leaving the medical and alumni community of Belagavi’s KLE JNMC College in deep mourning.

Read More: From Selfie To Silence: Karnataka’s Belagavi Mourns KLE Alumnus, Family Killed in Ahmedabad Plane Crash

Dr Anil Vyas, father of Dr Komi Joshi who along with her husband and three children were aboard the ill-fated plane, said, "First, we went to the hospital to check if they were admitted to the ICU. But we couldn't find them anywhere. Then we gave samples for a DNA test. We appeal to the government to hand over their remains to us soon, or if nothing is left of their bodies, then tell us that too, so we can go back."

"The shortcomings of the Air India flight should also be investigated quickly so that such incidents do not happen again... I had last talked to her at 1.32 PM on a video call. She called me when their plane was on the runway to talk one last time before take-off. She wanted to talk to her mother. But since her mother was in the operating theatre, I told Komi not to hurry and talk to her mother after she reached Derby... I started getting calls from people barely 15 minutes later, asking which plane they were in. I found out that they were in the same plane that crashed. We rushed to the crash site. Roads were blocked everywhere... The crash happened just 2-3 minutes after I last talked to her."

Seeing an aircraft fall from the sky can be a traumatic experience and the residents of Ahmedabad had to endure it as AI-171 enroute to London crashed into a medical college leaving 241 passengers and crew dead. A few went into deep shock and are yet to emerge out of it.

Read: AI-171 Tragedy: Locals Recount Horror, Some Still In Shock

The plane crash in Gujarat's Ahmedabad has left the nation in shock, being one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s history. The Air India flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London, took off at 1:38 pm from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport with 242 on board, before crashing into a medical college complex seconds later, just five kilometres from the airport. Vishwas Kumar Ramesh is the lone survivor of this tragic incident.

Read: As Residential Colonies Rise Near Airports, Ahmedabad Plane Crash Triggers Calls For Safety Review

Air India, on its official X handle, posted a video message from Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India. Campbell said that the technical team and caregivers of Air India are assisting the victims' families.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra patel wrote on X: "The plane crash mishap in Ahmedabad was tragic beyond words — and yet, Gujarat stood with courage and empathy beside the affected families in this hour of profound grief. Under the guidance of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi and Hon'ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah, the State Government mounted an urgent, sensitive, and well-coordinated response. Army, NDRF, SDRF, RAF, Police, and Fire Services teams swung into action within minutes. Over 600 fire personnel and more than 100 ambulances were mobilized for swift medical evacuation. A special green corridor was set up to ensure timely transport of the injured to hospitals. Expert medical teams, IAS officers, SEOC unit, DNA specialists, and counsellors have been relentlessly engaged in rescue, treatment, identification, and emotional support. 24×7 control rooms at Civil Hospital and SEOC remain functional. Shelter, transportation, and communication support have been extended to victims’ families. With seamless collaboration between central and state agencies, Gujarat reaffirmed its commitment to standing strong in crisis — with humanity, efficiency, and unwavering resolve."

Gujarat Nursing Council Vice President Iqbal Kadiwala says, "The medical teams are ready. We are prepared to go to Ahmedabad as soon as we receive the orders... 600 nursing staff, 600-700 resident doctors and cleaning personnel are ready. If blood or Operation Theatre equipment is needed, we will bring that if required." (ANI)

Govind and Inamul have been a constant feature outside the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital since Thursday evening. Both are conscious about their religious identities, but one of the most horrific air crashes of India has blurred the lines of faith and has paved the way for humanity. People of all religions have come together to join hands in assisting the stream of hapless and distraught relatives who have lost near and dear ones in the Air India flight crash. Read full report here.

After paying tribute to former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, who lost his life in yesterday’s Ahmedabad plane crash, Chandigarh BJP chief Jatinder Pal Malhotra said, "When I became the (Chandigarh party) chief, Vijay Rupani was the BJP’s Punjab in-charge. His life and character taught us how to remain stable and calm in any situation."

Dr Komi Joshi's father, Dr Anil Vyas, says, "First, we went to the hospital to check if they were admitted to the ICU. But we couldn't find them anywhere. Then we gave samples for a DNA test. We appeal to the government to hand over their remains to us soon, or if nothing is left of their bodies, then tell us that too, so we can go back. The shortcomings of the Air India flight should also be investigated quickly so that such incidents do not happen again... I had talked to her at 1:32 PM for the last time on a video call. She called me when their plane was on the runway to talk one last time before take-off. She wanted to talk to her mother. But since her mother was in the operating theatre, I told Komi not to hurry and talk to her mother after she reached Derby... I started getting calls from people after a mere 15 minutes, asking which plane they were in. I found out that they were in the same plane that crashed. We rushed here. Roads were blocked everywhere... The crash happened just two to three minutes after I last talked to her."

As bodies of six victims killed in the deadly AI 171 crash were handed over to their relatives in Ahmedabad on Friday, one of India’s foremost molecular biologists and former director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, Dr Rakesh Mishra said, remaining bodies will be handed over after ascertaining their identity following DNA profiling, which is totally accurate.

Read: DNA Profiling Will Accurately Ascertain Identity Of Ahmedabad Plane Crash Victims: Forensic Expert

"My duty shift at the hospital starts at 2 pm, and I was going to work when the crash happened. People sat close to the building in the afternoon, as there was shade. A vendor sold tea at the spot. None survived. Fire ate them up. I was barely 50 metres from the hostel mess, and the hall was filled with screams. In five minutes, the din subsided and was followed by an eerie silence. In 25 years of my life, I have never seen such a horrific scene. I couldn't sleep last night; the gruesome scenes kept coming back."

Ahmedabad Civil Hospital staffer Vijay describes to ETV Bharat the horror he won't be able to forget for years, or ever.

Read: Exclusive | Saw Woman's Severed Head, Witnessed Fire 'Eating People': Moments Of Horror From Ahmedabad

For Harpreet Kaur of Indore, Madhya Pradesh Air India plane crash in Gujarat not only cut short her life but left her husband Robbie Hora, who was expecting a surprise on his birthday, in a deep shock.

What was meant to be a joyous reunion of Harpreet and Robbie on his birthday turned into an unimaginable tragedy for the Hora family of Indore. Harpreet had boarded Air India’s London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner to surprise her husband on his birthday, but was among the 241 people who lost their lives in the Thursday crash.

Read: Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Indore Woman Headed To Surprise Husband On Birthday, Tragedy Strikes Instead

DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) orders enhanced safety inspection on Boeing 787-8/9 fleet of Air India. As a preventive measure, the DGCA has directed Air India to carry out additional maintenance actions on B787-8/9 aircraft equipped with Genx engines with immediate effect, in coordination with the concerned regional DGCA offices.

Tata Group Head Natarajan Chandrasekaran writes to his colleagues, "What occurred yesterday was inexplicable, and we are in shock and mourning. To lose a single person we know is a tragedy, but for so many deaths to occur at once is incomprehensible. This is one of the darkest days in the Tata Group's history. Words are no consolation right now, but my thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the people who died and were injured in the crash. We are here for them...You know that in the past 24 hours, investigative teams from India, UK, and the US have arrived in Ahmedabad to investigate the crash. They have our full cooperation, and we will be completely transparent about the findings. We owe it to the families and loved ones, to our pilots and crew, and to you...Once we have verified facts, we will be transparent in our communication about how this tragedy took place. As a Group trusted by so many, when we took over Air India, ensuring the safety of its passengers was our first and foremost priority. There was no compromising on it."

A day after the devastating AI 171 plane crash near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Survivors--students, professors, staff, and family members--were seen evacuating with luggage from the premises BJ Medical College doctors' hostel on Friday. (ANI)

Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said, "Contrary to some reports, the video recorder being circulated is not the DFDR (Digital Flight Data Recorder). The black box was found on the rooftop. AAIB began work with full force immediately. Over 40 staff from the State Government joined efforts to augment MoCA teams on site. The DFDR has been recovered from the rooftop."

Read: Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Why Analysis Of Black Box Is Crucial

As Authorities on Friday continued the process to identify through DNA sampling the deceased in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, grieving members of the families of Air India Flight Crash victims arrived in Ahmedabad.

A family member of one of the deceased, while speaking to ANI, said, "We have come here from the Patan district. My sister-in-law died in the plane crash that occurred yesterday. DNA test was done yesterday; her brother gave his samples." (ANI)

British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and shared condolences over the plane crash near Ahmedabad Airport. She stated that UK and India are working together to establish facts and expressed readiness to support the families and friends of impacted British nationals.

In a post on X, Cameron stated, "I met with Prime Minister @narendramodi this morning. We shared condolences in the face of this tragic accident, and I offered my thanks for the work of tireless first responders here in Ahmedabad. The UK and India are working together to establish the facts. We stand ready to support the families and friends of affected British Nationals - please consult our Travel Advice for updates and contact us on the 24/7 consular helpline."

Twenty-six-year-old Lamnunthem Singson, who was one of the two crew members from Manipur and killed in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, was the sole earning member of her family, which had faced the brunt of the ethnic violence in the northeastern state. She had last talked to her widowed mother over the phone on June 11, her cousin said on Friday.

Singson told her mother that she would fly to London on Thursday and wanted to sleep early the previous night, he said. (PTI)

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi wrote on X, "The administration is working tirelessly to provide assistance and support to the families of the passengers affected by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Arrangements have been made for relatives to stay at Circuit House and other designated locations, with transportation services available from Civil Hospital."

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on Friday said it has relaxed its claim settlement process for Air India plane crash victims and also expedite the process. The corporation said it is committed to supporting those affected in the plane crash and will expedite claim settlements for the victims. (PTI)

DNA sampling for the identification of deceased passengers is underway at the civil hospital in Ahmedabad on Friday. Earlier today, a group of resident doctors collected samples from the crash site.

Google homepage sports 'black ribbon' in memory of the victims of the tragic plane crash

Gujarat's Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) team has recovered a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the debris of the crashed Air India plane, in Ahmedabad on Friday. "It's a DVR, which we have recovered from the debris. The FSL team will come here soon," A Gujarat ATS officer told ANI.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) team visits the Ahmedabad plane crash site, reports PTI, citing sources. Union Aviation Ministry has earlier said that the offcials had initiated a probe on the tragic accident.

Efforts are on to recover the black box of the crashed flight as its analysis will provide vital clues about what triggered the disaster, said police and Fire Brigade officials on Friday.

Ahmedabad Fire Brigade officials informed that a team with specialised equipment like metal cutters has been deployed to search the black box in the wreckage at the accident site in Meghani Nagar near the airport.

"Work is ongoing to find the black box," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) Kanan Desai told PTI.

Former Manipur CM N Biren Singh visited the residence of late crew member Kongbrailatpam in Manipur. On X, he wrote, "It is heartbreaking to share that two young cabin crew members from Manipur, Kongrabailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson, were among those who lost their lives in today’s Air India crash in Ahmedabad."

On X, PM Modi said that he has had a bond with Vijay Rupani for years. "We worked shoulder to shoulder during many challenging times. Vijaybhai, with his simple and gentle nature, was very hardworking and committed to the party’s ideology. Starting his career in public life as a grassroots worker, he fulfilled various responsibilities in the organisation and went on to become the Chief Minister of Gujarat," said Modi.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds a high-level meeting regarding the Air India AI-171 flight crash, in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu and and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil are also present. (ANI)

Air India MD & CEO Campbell Wilson visited AI-171 crash site in Ahmedabad on Friday Morning. Following the visit, Campbell held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad.

Pawan Khera, Chairman of Congress's media and publicity department, wrote on X, "When a plane crashes and people die, the least a Home Minister can offer is a promise of accountability, not a shrug and a lecture on fate."

Responding to Home Minister Amit Shah's comments 'Nobody can stop accidents', Khera said, "By the Home Minister’s logic, should we stop investing in safety infrastructure, regulation, or crisis preparedness altogether? Just leave it to fate and call it a day?"

“It all happened before my eyes. I can't believe how I came out alive. For some time, I thought I was also going to die, but when I opened my eyes, I thought I was alive,” Vishwas Kumar, the lone British survivor, is still in a state of shock and disbelief.

To a question as to what happened after the flight took off from the Ahmedabad airport, Kumar said, “10 seconds after takeoff, it seemed as if the plane had stopped mid-air. Then green and white lights lit up inside the flight. Then it suddenly crashed on the ground”.

“I somehow unbuckled my seat belt and came out from the debris,” the lone crash survivor recalled. Kumar said that the part of the plane where he was seated crashed on the ground floor of the hostel.

It was time's play - the 10 minutes that will always remain precious for Bhoomi Chauhan who missed the flight to London. Passing through an emotional upheaval - at times numb, grateful, and sad, she has yet to come to terms with reality, her voice shivering and heart palpitating even after 20 hours of the AI-171 air crash. She missed the flight, literally not to London, but to something disastrous by 10 minutes and is gathering composure and counting her blessings. "Matarani and Ganpati Bappa saved me," is all that she says.

A resident of Gujarat's Bharuch, Bhoomi was stuck in traffic snarls of Ahmedabad and reached the security check 10 minutes late. She pleaded with AI officials to allow her complete the immigration formalities, but they did not relent. "They said, if they allow me to do the formalities, the flight will be delayed by another 15 minutes which they cannot afford. So I immediately gathered my luggage and left the airport," Bhoomi recalls. Read more...

A day after the deadly plane crash in Ahmedabad, the bodies of six victims were handed over to their families after identification on Friday, police said. At least 265 bodies were sent to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for post-mortem after the crash on Thursday. Of these, only six victims were identified as their faces were intact, Inspector Chirag Gosai said.

He said DNA profiling is underway to ascertain the identities of others as their bodies are charred beyond recognition. "We have handed over six bodies to relatives. We have started the process of collecting DNA samples of relatives for profiling to identify bodies that are charred beyond recognition. Relatives of 215 deceased persons have approached us to give their samples," said Gosai, who is handling the affairs at the post-mortem room.

He said details are gathered from relatives arriving at the PM room, and these people are then sent to BJ Medical College to provide their DNA samples. "It will take nearly 72 hours to complete the exercise of matching the DNA samples. Once there is a match, bodies will be handed over to relatives from the post-mortem room," the inspector said.

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner (AI 171), with 242 people on board, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, crashed into a medical college complex in the Meghaninagar area moments after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. One person survived the tragedy, while 241 on board, including 168 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian, were killed.

Four MBBS students and a doctor's wife were among those killed at the complex of BJ Medical College outside the airport perimeter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a review meeting with top officials of the Gujarat government after visiting the site of the Air India plane crash here. The meeting was held at the GujSail building near the city airport.

During the meeting, PM Modi was briefed about the series of events that unfolded after the plane crash in which 265 people lost their lives on Thursday, and he also gave instructions to officials. He visited the crash site and city civil hospital earlier in the day.

"We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heart-breaking 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," Modi said in a post on X.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Jal Shakti Minister and Gujarat BJP chief C R Paatil, and Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu were present at the meeting. A Boeing 787 Dreamliner (AI 171), with 242 people on board, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, crashed into a medical college complex in the Meghaninagar area moments after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon.

One person survived the tragedy, while 241 on board, including 168 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian, were killed.

A process of DNA sampling for the identification of deceased passengers of the Air India 171 flight is underway at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi visited the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and reviewed the ground situation, a day after the AI-171 flight bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport here. PM Modi went to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met the lone survivor of the AI 171 plane crash and those injured in the mishap.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met with Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the lone person to miraculously survive the Air India plane crash a day ago in which all the other 241 passengers died.

"PM Modi asked me about the incident. It all happened in front of my eyes. I couldn't even believe how I was saved. For instance, I thought I would also die. But when I opened my eyes, I was alive. I removed my seat belt and escaped from there. Bodies of uncle-aunties and air hostesses were there..."

Explaining about the incident, Vishwash said, "After takeoff, for 5-10 seconds, we felt like everything was stuck. Green and white lights were turned on the plane. I think the plane's speed was increased for takeoff, and it crashed into the hostel's building. It all happened in front of my eyes."

Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi visited the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and reviewed the ground situation, a day after the AI-171 flight bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport here. PM Modi went to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to meet with those injured in the mishap.

Officials from the British High Commission have arrived at a domestic airport in Ahmedabad in the wake of a devastating plane crash that claimed the lives of 241 people, onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on Friday morning arrived in Ahmedabad, took stock of the site of the Air India plane crash and then proceeded to the Civil Hospital in the city to meet with those injured in the mishap that took place a day ago.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union MoS Murlidhar Mohol and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi accompanied PM Modi during his visit. Upon his arrival in the city today, PM Modi was received by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and Union Minister CR Paatil.

On Friday, Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson visited the AI-171 plane crash site in Gujarat's Ahmedabad. "The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 Hours, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform you that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital, Air India posted on X.

After visiting the crash site and meeting the injured at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the bereaved families. "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," he wrote on X.

In one of the worst aviation tragedies in India's recent history, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 242 people on board crashed just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, bursting into flames and colliding with a doctors' hostel on the airport premises.

In an exclusive discussion with ETV Bharat, Sharda Prasad, former commissioner of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and a subject expert on civil aviation security in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, provided technical analysis of how things could have possibly gone wrong. Read more...

A day after the Air India plane crash, the residents of Meghani Nagar in Ahmedabad are yet to recover from shock, and they will never forget the horrifying 'Black Thursday' afternoon that left 241 dead and one survivor.

During an ETV Bharat visit to the accident site and its nearby localities in Meghani Nagar, the residents narrated how they were left aghast after Air India's Dreamliner AI 171 crashed in their vicinity just minutes after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. One of the worst plane crashes in the world has occurred near their homes, causing so much loss of human lives and leaving a multi-storeyed accommodation for trainee doctors in ruins.

The massive fire caused by the plane crash due to an instant burnout of lots of litres of fuel in the plane tank had caused a deafening noise before triggering raging flames accompanied by thick smoke that caused complete darkness in the afternoon there for some time.

Rewaben Patani and her son Deepak Patani were at their home after her husband Sanjay Patani, who was serving in the police department, had left for duty as usual. They finished their meal and were about to get busy with their daily activities when they heard a loud noise that burst their eardrums. Left in a terrifying state, they rushed out of the house to find out what was happening. They saw a huge change in the surroundings of their house and there was darkness. Read More...

“I was just 40 seconds away from the place where this incident happened. I rushed to help and called my friends for help. I pulled out bodies of the students from the debris, some of them were my friends. Those students were having lunch. We pulled out the cylinders to avoid further blast. We tried using fire extinguishers, but it wasn’t working properly. It was a fearful sight,” said an eyewitness to the accident.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) official Hariom Gandhi on Friday said that the six teams of the NDRF are working on the Ahmedabad plane crash site, and the total number of casualties will only be revealed after the site is completely cleared.

Speaking to reporters at the site, NDRF official Hariom Gandhi said, "Our team is on standby and working. Our six teams are working on the ground. Wait for some time... We cannot give any numbers until the site is completely cleared."

A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday.
"The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hours, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform you that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital, Air India posted on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on Friday morning arrived in Ahmedabad, took stock of the site of the Air India plane crash and then proceeded to the Civil Hospital in the city to meet with those injured in the mishap that took place a day ago.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union MoS Murlidhar Mohol and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi accompanied PM Modi during his visit.
Upon his arrival in the city today, PM Modi was received by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and Union Minister CR Paatil.
The AI-171 bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airlines said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash.
There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national on board the crashed plane. Miraculously, one person, a British national of Indian origin, survived the crash, airline authorities said.

Air India has set up 'Friends & Relatives Assistance Centres' to support the families affected in the plane crash. In a post on X, the airline said, "Air India has set up Friends & Relatives Assistance Centres at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Gatwick airports to provide support and take care of the needs of the families and loved ones of those on flight AI171. These centres are facilitating the travel of family members to Ahmedabad. Dedicated passenger hotline number for those calling from within India: 1800 5691 444, and those calling from outside India: +91 8062779200."

The Congress on Friday condoled the loss of lives in the Ahmedabad plane crash, and said it joins the nation in expressing collective anguish and grief over the most unfortunate and shocking tragedy.

The opposition party expressed deepest condolences to all the families bereaved after Air India confirmed that 241 people on board its London-bound flight were killed when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday.

"The Indian National Congress extends its deepest condolences to all the families bereaved and so devastatingly affected by the crash of AI-171 yesterday," Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said on X.

"We had hoped and prayed while awaiting confirmation of fatalities. The confirmation is grim news and the INC joins the nation in our collective anguish and grief over this most unfortunate and shocking tragedy," he said.

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft was carrying 242 passengers and crew members, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national.

“We regret to inform that of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities,” the airline said in a statement issued late Thursday.

It said the sole survivor is a British national of Indian origin who is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reached the site of the Air India plane crash here, in which 265 people lost their lives.

The prime minister arrived at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport here and drove straight to the crash site in the Meghaninagar area, officials said.

He was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

A London-bound Air India plane, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, crashed into a medical college complex shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon.

One person survived the tragedy. The aircraft had 232 passengers and 10 crew members, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese and a Canadian, on board.

Four MBBS students and a doctor's wife were among those killed at the complex of BJ Medical College outside the airport perimeter.

Flight operations at the Ahmedabad airport continue normally a day after the Air India flight AI-171 crash. In an update X on Thursday evening, the airport officials said, "All flight operations at Ahmedabad Airport have resumed. For the latest flight information, please stay connected with your airline and our official updates".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Ahmedabad this morning. He is likely to visit the crash site and also go to the Civil Hospital. He is also expected to pay his final tributes to his state colleague, former CM Vijay Rupani.

PM Modi is also expected to hold a review meeting with central and state leaders and officials. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Ministers Min Ram Naik, C R Paatil are expected to accompany the PM.

UN chief Antonio Guterres, US President Donald Trump, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney were among scores of world leaders who offered condolences to the people of India in the wake of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Air India has confirmed that 241 people on board its London-bound flight were killed when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft was carrying 242 passengers and crew members. The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian national. Read more...

Union Home minister Amit Shah, who rushed to Ahmedabad on Thursday to take stock of the situation after the fatal plane crash, said the temperature in the Air India plane which crashed after take-off was so high due to burning fuel that there was no chance of survival or saving anyone. Shah described the incident as a "national tragedy that plunged the entire country into mourning".

Speaking to media after visiting the crash site and meeting the injured at the hospital, Shah extended condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. "The entire nation is grieving and is standing together with the bereaved families... The central government received information within 10 minutes of the accident. I contacted the Gujarat Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Civil Aviation Minister. The PM also called within no time...I must say that an accident is, by nature, unpredictable and cannot always be prevented. However, the true test of an administration's alertness comes during such unfortunate incidents," the Home Minister said. Read more...