Ahmedabad Plane Crash: 265 Bodies Recovered After Catastrophe, Rescue Operations Continue, PM Modi Visits Site, Indian Media Foundation Pays Tributes
Ahmedabad, June 13, 2025:
A devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday has shaken the entire nation. So far, 265 bodies have been recovered following the crash of Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight AI-171, including most of the passengers and crew members on board. The Indian Media Foundation family, along with its founder A.K. Bindusar, has offered heartfelt tributes to all the deceased passengers of this tragic incident.
Horrific Scene of the Accident and Detailed Casualty Report
Air India flight AI-171, which took off from Ahmedabad for London at 1:38 PM on Thursday, plunged onto a B.J. Medical College Hostel just two minutes after takeoff, causing widespread devastation. Among the 265 bodies recovered, 241 were on board the aircraft, comprising 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian citizen. In terms of demographics, the deceased include 103 men, 114 women, 11 children, and 2 infants. Tragically, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani also lost his life in this accident. Miraculously, only one passenger survived this horrific crash, whose identity has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Hostel Casualties and Intense Rescue Operations
Over 50 people were present at the B.J. Medical College Hostel when the aircraft crashed. In this sudden tragedy, at least 5 deaths have also been reported from the hostel. Initial information suggests that 4 MBBS students and a doctor’s wife were among the victims. There is a possibility of more bodies being recovered from the hostel’s debris. Ahmedabad Police, accompanied by sniffer dogs, are continuously working at the crash site to search for any other survivors trapped in the wreckage. Special teams from the National Security Guard (NSG) have also arrived at the scene, assisting local agencies in rescue operations and investigating the causes of the accident.
Prime Minister’s Visit and Empathy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep sorrow over this tragic incident. On Friday morning, he arrived in Ahmedabad and first surveyed the accident site. Subsequently, he visited the Civil Hospital, where he spent approximately 10 minutes meeting the victims and their families, offering them solace. The Prime Minister has assured all possible assistance during this difficult time.
The Heart-Wrenching Sequence of the Accident
The horrifying sequence of the accident has been captured by CCTV footage from Ahmedabad Airport. The footage shows that in the 49th second of takeoff, the aircraft experienced a technical malfunction and suddenly lost control, leading to the devastating crash. Initial reports also suggest an onboard fire and explosion, though the exact causes will only be revealed after a detailed investigation report is released.
Administrative and Airline Efforts
- DNA Testing for Identification: Identifying the bodies of those who perished in the accident has become a major challenge. Therefore, DNA tests are being conducted to ensure the identification of all bodies.
- NSG and Sniffer Dogs: NSG teams and trained sniffer dogs are continuously working to search for survivors from the debris and conduct a thorough investigation of the crash site.
- Help Centers: Air India has established special help centers at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and London’s Gatwick Airport to assist the families of the deceased during this difficult time. Families can contact these centers for information and support by calling 1800 5691 444 from India and 8062779200 from outside India.
- Psychological Support: A large crowd of grieving relatives waiting for the bodies of their loved ones outside the post-mortem room at the Civil Hospital reflects profound sorrow and despair. Many family members are in shock. The government has also taken steps to provide psychological support to the affected families.
This tragic event has become a dark chapter in India’s aviation history. The entire nation stands united to overcome this tragedy and console the affected families. A detailed investigation into the causes of the accident is ongoing, and it is hoped that the truth will soon come to light to prevent such incidents in the future.
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