Air India Crash: PM Modi Visits Site, Meets Survivor

13 June, 2025:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday to assess the situation following the crash of Air India flight AI171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB), which went down just minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

According to officials, the Prime Minister arrived at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and proceeded directly to the crash site in the Meghaninagar area. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi and other officials accompanied PM Modi during his visit.

He also visited the hospital to meet the sole survivor of the crash, Indian-origin British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. 

“The scene of devastation is saddening,” PM Modi said in a post on X after reviewing the wreckage. “Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.”

After visiting the crash site, Prime Minister Modi reached Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where he met the injured, including the lone survivor of the tragedy and offered his condolences and support to the grieving families. He also interacted with doctors and medical staff to review the condition of those undergoing treatment.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote: “Met those injured in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, including the lone survivor and assured them that we are with them and their families in this tough time. The entire nation is praying for their speedy recovery.”

Later, Mr Modi held a review meeting in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Naidu will continue to monitor the situation and meet with all departments concerned, crucial to the search and rescue operation.

At least 265 people lost their lives when an Air India flight en route to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, marking one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent memory. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plunged into a medical college hostel, triggering a massive blaze and leaving only one survivor among the 242 people on board.

The ill-fated Flight AI171 went down in the densely populated Meghaninagar residential area. CCTV footage and videos captured by bystanders showed the aircraft losing altitude and struggling to gain lift before it exploded into a fireball on impact.