Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visits Ahmedabad Civil Hospital To Meet Crash Survivor, Injured

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to meet the lone survivor of the Air India crash, as well as those injured in the incident.

PM Modi’s visit came a day after the fatal accident that claimed 241 lives, including 12 crew members.

PM Modi arrived in the city to personally review the situation. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and Union Minister CR Paatil received him at the airport.

After landing, the Prime Minister first visited the crash site, where a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off on Thursday.

The aircraft went down in a residential area near BJ Medical College.

Of the 242 people on board – 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and two pilots – 241 lost their lives. Only one person, seated in 11A, survived.

Officials identified the survivor as a British national of Indian origin, who is now undergoing treatment at the local hospital.

At the Civil Hospital, PM Modi interacted with the survivor and spoke with the attending medical team.

He toured the crash site, devastated by the impact, before visiting the hospital.

The Prime Minister, who governed Gujarat for 12 years, had earlier expressed his grief on the social media platform.

Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “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.”

The crash is being termed one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India.

The government has, however, initiated a full investigation, with forensic experts already at the scene collecting evidence.

Civil Aviation Minister Naidu confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe.

Taking to X, the Minister posted, “Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).”

“Additionally, the Government is constituting a high-level committee comprising experts from multiple disciplines to examine the matter in detail. The committee will work to strengthen aviation safety and prevent such incidents in future,” the post read.

The AAIB, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is responsible for probing serious aviation accidents in India and operates by global norms.

The aircraft had issued a distress call moments before losing altitude.

Investigators now aim to recover the cockpit voice and flight data recorders, commonly known as black boxes. These will help reconstruct the aircraft’s final moments.

Also Read: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visits Ahmedabad Crash Site After Air India Tragedy Kills 241