On June 12, a tragic incident occurred in Ahmedabad when an Air India plane crashed shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route from Ahmedabad to London. It crashed in the Meghani Nagar area, striking a building and causing a fierce fire. There were 242 people on board, including 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese citizens, one Canadian, and 12 crew members.
In the wake of the disaster, the Ahmedabad police, along with various government departments and agencies, quickly mobilised to conduct rescue and relief operations. Police Commissioner G.S. Malik reported that the police department worked diligently to maintain order and assist in rescue efforts from the very beginning of the incident.
As soon as the news of the crash broke, police units were dispatched to the scene. They implemented a multi-faceted response to manage the situation. The police played a crucial role in controlling the crowd, transporting victims to hospitals, and ensuring traffic was managed around the crash site.
Green corridors were established for fire services and ambulances to facilitate swift rescue operations. The police worked alongside teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other emergency services to ensure efficient operations.
At civil hospitals, police personnel also maintained order as families arrived to identify their loved ones. The police coordinated with health officials to assist in the identification of deceased individuals through DNA matching, helping families receive the remains of their loved ones. Officers even accompanied the deceased to their homes.
The crash has raised serious concerns about flight safety in India. Preliminary investigations suggested a technical malfunction might have occurred, leading to the crash shortly after takeoff. Initial reports indicated a possible collision with an object at the rear of the plane. Former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was reportedly on board, although this has not been confirmed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in touch with Home Minister Amit Shah, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel regarding the incident. The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the crash.
This incident adds to a long history of plane crashes in India, many of which have occurred during takeoff and landing phases. Aviation safety experts stress that these critical moments are often the most dangerous times for flights. According to global aviation statistics, there were 109 aviation accidents worldwide in 2023 alone, with a significant number occurring during takeoff.
As the rescue operations continue, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and understanding the circumstances that led to this tragic event. The incident has sparked discussions about improving aviation safety measures in the country to prevent such disasters in the future.
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