Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking to the media in Ahmedabad following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, confirmed that several passengers are feared dead and expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He said that the entire country is mourning with the families of those who lost their lives, calling it a national tragedy.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah further stated that the intense heat generated by the burning fuel inside the crashed Air India aircraft in Ahmedabad made it nearly impossible for anyone to survive. Speaking to reporters, Shah said, “There were 1.25 lakh litres of fuel in the plane, and once it ignited, the temperature rose so high that there was no chance of saving anyone.”
The entire nation is in deep shock following the tragedy, he said. Shah also expressed condolences to relatives of those killed in the accident. “The number of those killed will be officially released by the authorities after DNA test and identification of the victims,” Shah said. “The good news is that one person survived the crash and I am coming here after meeting him,” he said.
Offering condolences on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government, and the Gujarat Government, Shah assured the public that all possible measures were being taken in response to the disaster. He noted that within ten minutes of the crash, the Union Government was alerted and sprang into action, coordinating efforts between the Chief Minister of Gujarat, the state Home Department, and Civil Aviation authorities.
Prime Minister Modi personally intervened and monitored the developments, Shah said, adding that both state and central agencies immediately launched a joint search and rescue operation. The ill-fated aircraft, which went down on Thursday afternoon, was carrying 230 passengers—including both Indian nationals and foreign citizens—and 12 crew members. One survivor has been confirmed, and Amit Shah said he met the individual in person.
The Home Minister stressed that the final death toll would only be confirmed after proper identification procedures, including DNA testing of the recovered bodies. He reiterated that the situation was grim and that the rescue and recovery process must proceed with accuracy and sensitivity.
He visited the crash site in Ahmedabad to oversee the operations firsthand. Speaking about the conditions inside the aircraft at the time of the crash, Shah said that the temperature inside had risen drastically due to burning fuel, making it nearly impossible for anyone to survive. “The temperature inside the aircraft reached extremely high levels, which severely reduced the chances of survival,” he explained.
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He further added that the Gujarat government had immediately mobilised all available emergency services following the crash, and the Central Armed Police Forces were also called in to assist with rescue operations. He praised the swift response from both state and central agencies in what he described as an extremely challenging situation.
In his address, Shah stated, “The entire country is in shock. I offer my heartfelt tributes on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Government of India, and the Gujarat Government to those who have lost their lives in this tragic accident. Within ten minutes of the incident, I had spoken with the Chief Minister, the Home Minister of the state, and senior officials. A coordinated effort involving both state and central governments is currently underway. Out of the 230 passengers and 12 crew members onboard, one person has survived, and I have met him personally.”
Shah’s visit and statements underline the seriousness with which the central and state governments are treating the incident, as investigations and recovery efforts continue.
Also Read: PM sends Shah, Aviation Minister to Ahmedabad after AI crash
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