Tragedy in the Skies: PM Modi Visits Ground Zero of Ahmedabad Plane Crash

 Ahmedabad, June 13 – The skyline of Ahmedabad was torn apart on June 12 as Air India Flight AI 171 crashed shortly after takeoff, igniting a fireball that devastated a college hostel building and killed 241 people. Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site to personally assess the magnitude of the tragedy and express solidarity with grieving families.

The New Delhi-bound Boeing 787 from Phuket, Thailand, was making a stopover in Ahmedabad before continuing to London. Minutes after takeoff, it lost altitude and slammed into the BJ Medical College hostel premises. Flames engulfed the structure, causing additional casualties on the ground.

The Prime Minister described the visuals at the site as “heartbreaking.” At Ahmedabad Airport, he chaired a high-level review meeting with aviation and emergency officials, stressing the need for a transparent investigation and immediate support for victims' families.

What We Know So Far

Initial investigations suggest a possible technical failure during the aircraft’s climb, though foul play has not been ruled out. Both the black box and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered and sent for analysis. International experts from Boeing and U.S. aviation agencies are now involved.

The Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed that all 11 crew members perished and that the sole surviving passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is stable and cooperating with authorities.

The Nation Reacts

Tata Sons, the parent company of Air India, has pledged compensation and set up a helpline for affected families. Messages of sympathy from global leaders, including the UK’s King Charles III and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, underscore the worldwide shock over the incident.

This crash, among the deadliest in Indian history, has reignited conversations around aircraft safety, airline preparedness, and disaster response infrastructure. PM Modi assured the public that the government is committed to uncovering the cause and implementing necessary reforms.

As black-clad families gather to mourn, and emergency teams continue to search through debris, India stands united in grief—and in determination to ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.