The nation was left reeling on Thursday, June 12, as news of the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London, spread like wildfire. The aircraft had barely taken off from Ahmedabad when disaster struck, plunging 242 souls – 230 passengers and 12 crew members – into uncertainty and fear.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, visibly shaken by the incident, took to social media to express his shock and devastation. “I’m personally monitoring the situation. All agencies have been directed to respond swiftly,” he wrote, promising to mobilize emergency response teams to the crash site without delay.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar offered his condolences on X, urging prayers for the passengers and their families during this difficult time. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee echoed his sentiments, calling the crash “tragic” and sending her thoughts to those awaiting news of their loved ones.
In Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel wasted no time in coordinating rescue efforts. “Intensive rescue operations are underway,” he assured, adding that a green corridor was being established to transport the injured to medical facilities swiftly. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had pledged full central assistance, including the deployment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), to aid in the rescue mission.
As the nation grappled with the gravity of the situation, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav demanded transparency from the government. “There must be an immediate explanation to remove doubts surrounding the Ahmedabad plane crash,” he insisted, emphasizing the need for top-notch rescue, relief, and medical care for the survivors.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared in the collective grief, offering prayers for the safety of all those involved in the tragedy. “Pained and shocked to hear of the incident,” he lamented, encapsulating the nation’s sentiments of sorrow and uncertainty in the wake of this heartbreaking event.
