Air India Crash in Ahmedabad LIVE: Heat from Fuel Was So Intense, No One Could Be Rescued, Says Amit Shah

In a deeply tragic incident that has shaken the nation, an Air India aircraft crashed near Ahmedabad in the early hours of Friday, resulting in the loss of all passengers and crew onboard. The aircraft, which was on a domestic route, reportedly went down shortly after takeoff. Initial reports suggest a massive fire broke out due to a fuel explosion, making any rescue attempts nearly impossible.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who addressed the media following the incident, expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and explained the intensity of the situation that responders faced. “The temperature from the fuel blaze was so high that there was absolutely no chance of rescuing anyone alive. It was an inferno,” he said. Shah, who represents Gandhinagar in the Lok Sabha, also added that emergency teams reached the site within minutes but were met with an uncontrollable firestorm.

Chronology of the Tragedy

The ill-fated Air India flight, carrying over 110 people, lost contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Eyewitnesses in the vicinity of the crash site reported hearing a loud explosion followed by a massive fireball that lit up the early morning sky.

Rescue and firefighting teams from the Airports Authority of India, Gujarat State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local fire departments rushed to the crash site, located in a semi-residential zone on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Despite their efforts, the intensity of the fire fueled by aviation-grade fuel made it nearly impossible to reach the aircraft’s remains for several hours.

Government Responds Swiftly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences in a tweet, calling it a “heart-wrenching tragedy.” He also assured the nation that a high-level inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the crash. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has been directed to reach Ahmedabad and supervise the investigation and relief efforts.

Home Minister Amit Shah visited the crash site along with state officials and NDRF personnel. Speaking to the media, he said, “The loss is unimaginable. We mourn with the families who have lost their loved ones. I assure them that the government will extend all necessary support in this hour of grief.”

Black Box Recovered, Investigation Underway

Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have begun their preliminary investigations. The black box of the aircraft has been recovered and will be sent for analysis to determine the sequence of events that led to the crash.

Technical experts have not ruled out the possibility of a catastrophic engine failure or onboard fire, though they stress that it is too early to pinpoint an exact cause.

Mourning and Reactions

Flags flew at half-mast in several government buildings across Gujarat and Delhi as the nation came to terms with the loss. Vigils are being held in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, from where many of the passengers hailed.

Family members of the victims gathered at the airport and at local hospitals, desperately seeking information. Special teams of counselors and support personnel have been deployed to assist grieving relatives.

Conclusion

The crash of the Air India flight near Ahmedabad stands as one of the most devastating aviation tragedies in recent years. As the nation mourns, questions loom over what caused the crash and whether it could have been prevented. The coming days will be crucial as investigators piece together the evidence. Meanwhile, the focus remains on providing solace and support to the bereaved families and ensuring such a disaster is never repeated.