PM Modi Visits Ahmedabad Crash Site; High-Level Probe Ordered into Air India Tragedy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the crash site of the ill-fated Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, a day after the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner tragically went down shortly after takeoff, claiming 241 lives. The Prime Minister arrived to assess the situation on the ground and to express solidarity with the victims’ families and the city still reeling from one of India’s worst aviation disasters. He was received at Ahmedabad airport’s domestic terminal by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and Union Minister C.R. Paatil.
The Air India aircraft, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick with 242 people on board—including 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and two pilots—crashed into a residential complex near BJ Medical College shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon.Among the 242 people aboard, 241 have been confirmed dead. Officials have reported a miraculous survival: a British national of Indian origin seated in 11A is currently under medical care at a local hospital. The Prime Minister, who governed Gujarat for 12 years, took to social media platform X soon after the crash to express his grief:
“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.”
Full-Scale Investigation Launched
The central government has launched a comprehensive investigation into the crash. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), India’s official body for probing serious air accidents, has been assigned to lead the inquiry in accordance with international protocols laid out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
A forensic team has already begun examining the crash site and collecting evidence, while recovery efforts continue under the close supervision of state and central authorities. Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who rushed to the site from Vijayawada on Thursday, confirmed that a high-level, multidisciplinary committee will also be formed to study the broader implications of the crash.
“This is not just about one incident. The Government is constituting a high-level expert committee that will include aviation safety experts, air traffic control professionals, engineers, and DGCA representatives. Its aim will be to strengthen aviation safety frameworks and prevent such tragedies in the future,” he announced via his official X handle.
Focus on Black Boxes and Emergency Call
Investigators are now focused on retrieving and analyzing the aircraft’s black boxes—the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder—which are critical to reconstructing the aircraft’s final moments. The Dreamliner had reportedly issued a distress call seconds before it began losing altitude.
As India mourns the devastating loss of lives, the government’s swift response and promise of accountability have brought a sense of urgency to the investigation. The aviation community, both domestic and international, is closely watching developments from Ahmedabad as efforts continue to understand what went wrong and how such tragedies can be prevented in the future.
