Amit Shah reaches Ahmedabad hours after Air India plane crash
Union home minister Amit Shah left for Ahmedabad soon after news of the Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashing and erupting into flames broke
New Delhi: Union home minister Amit Shah reached Ahmedabad on Thursday, hours after the horrific crash of the Air India flight to the UK as condolences poured from world over.
The London-bound aircraft with 242 people on board crashed within minutes of taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. On board and among the casualties was the former state CM, Vijay Rupani, who was on his way to meet his family. According to people aware of the details, the former CM’s son lives in London.
Shah left for Ahmedabad soon after news of the crash. “Pained beyond words by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Disaster response forces have been quickly rushed to the crash site. Spoke with the Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Home Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi, and Commissioner of Police Ahmedabad to assess the situation,” he said in a post on X.
Shah visited the plane crash site in Ahmedabad to take stock of the situation on Thursday evening.
In the state, the government called off functions, including media interactions that had been planned on the 11th anniversary of the union government. “A few union ministers were in the state to address the media and take part in programmes about the 11 years of being in power, but these events were called off and the state unit workers have been instructed to join the rescue and relief work, in addition to helping the injured in hospitals and relatives of those who died in the crash,” said a BJP leader based in Gujarat.
Several world leaders shared condolence messages on social media.
“The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating...I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X.
British foreign minister David Lammy also condoled the crash and said the UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support.
“Heartbroken to hear the news of a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My prayers are with all who lost their loved ones in this horrible incident. We continue to monitor developments and stand with the emergency responders working to help those impacted,” US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on X.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Modi over the passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad..
“Please accept the deepest condolences over the tragic consequences of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad. Kindly convey the words of sincere sympathy and support to the families and near ones of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured in this catastrophe,” said Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also posted a message of condolence on social media
“Horrible news of a passenger plane crash in India. My deepest condolences to Prime Minister @narendramodi and the entire people of India on this tragic day. Our thoughts are with all victims’ relatives and close ones in India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada. We share your shock and grief on this tragic day. We all pray for as many lives to be saved as possible and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”
