Over hundred people died after an Air India aircraft carrying 242 passengers, bound to London’s Gatwick crashed into a densely populated area, seconds after it took off from Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday.
The Boeing 787-8 aircraft which carried around 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national, and seven Portuguese nationals, crashed near Meghaninagar area.
The plane crashed on Atulayam Hostel – an intern doctor’s hostel where over 50 inter doctors lost their lives. The impact was in the mess of the hostel where several interns were having lunch.
Soon after the crash, minister of civil aviation Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu rushed to Ahmedabad to take stock of the situation.
“We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Rescue teams have been mobilized, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra patel has directed all the administration to create a green corridor for swift transport of injured passengers to hospitals and to prioritize all medical arrangements.
Union Minister Amit Shah also talked to Patel and assured full support from the Centre. “Shah confirmed the NDRF teams and other central agencies would provide every possible assistance in the ongoing rescue and relief efforts,” the official said.
Meanwhile, Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran expressed grief over the incident and said that our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families.
“We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted,” he stated.
Meanwhile it has been reported that former CM of Gujarat Vijay Rupani was likely on the ill-fated plane.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also talked to civil aviation minister Rammohan Naidu to take stock of the situation in his home state.
