President, Vice President, PM, Home Minister, Rahul Gandhi, others offer condolences
New Delhi, Jun 12: President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and leaders of different political parties expressed shock and grief over the crash of an Air India plane carrying 242 people in Ahmedabad.
President Murmu termed the crash a heart-rending disaster, saying the nation stands with the affected people in this hour of indescribable grief.
Vice President Dhankhar said the crash had left the nation dealing with a devastating human tragedy, as he mourned the death of people.
ìIn this moment of grief, the nation stands united in solidarity with them,î he said.
Posting on the microblogging site ëXí, PM Modi said, ìThe tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.î
He also spoke to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu and took stock of the plane crash at the Ahmedabad airport.
ìThe minister informed the prime minister that he was rushing to Ahmedabad to oversee rescue and relief operations. The PM has directed the minister to ensure all necessary support is extended immediately and asked to be kept regularly updated on the situation,î the official said.
He said all relevant agencies were on high alert, and coordinated efforts were underway.
PM Modi also spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah.
ìThe PM has asked both Shah and Naidu to go to Ahmedabad and ensure all possible assistance is extended to those affected in the wake of the air mishap,î officials said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed his condolences over the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad and said all necessary response mechanisms had been activated.
ìPained 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 Bhupendra Patel, Home Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi, and Commissioner of Police Ahmedabad to assess the situation,î Shah said in a post on X before embarking from Delhi. He later reached Ahmedabad to take stock of the situation.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was personally monitoring the situation and had directed aviation and emergency agencies to respond in a swift and coordinated manner.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President and Union Minister J P Nadda said the news of many people being killed in the plane crash was extremely sad.
He said he spoke to Gujarat BJP president and Union Minister C R Paatil and the state Health Minister Rushikesh Patel and took information about health facilities and relief work.
ìI appeal to all BJP workers to engage in relief and rescue operations and provide all possible help to the affected families. I pray for strength for the bereaved and a speedy recovery for the injured,î Nadda said.
Expressing shock and grief, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said it was heart-wrenching to see the horrific visuals of the crash.
He also expressed condolences to families of those who died in the crash and urged party workers to provide all support to the victims and their loved ones.
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, in a statement, said: ìI am deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts are with the families of the passengers and the crew. The visuals are most heart-wrenching. The entire country is overtaken by grief and is praying.î
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said the crash was heartbreaking.
ìThe pain and anxiety the families of the passengers and crew must be feeling is unimaginable. My thoughts are with each one of them in this incredibly difficult moment. Urgent rescue and relief efforts by the administration are critical - every life matters, every second counts. Congress workers must do everything they can to help on the ground,î he said in a post on X.
AICC General Secretary, Communications, Jairam Ramesh said the Congress was shocked by the devastating tragedy. ìOur prayers continue for the passengers and the crew. It is a moment of utmost grief,î he said.
Another Congress leader K C Venugopal said the tragedy had shocked the nation and no words were enough to describe the pain.
ìAll PCCs and affiliated organisations are instructed to cancel all organisation-related events tomorrow as a mark of respect to the victims of this tragedy,î he said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed ìprofound shockî over the crash.
ìStunned and profoundly shocked to know of the most tragic Air India plane crash at Ahmedabad today. It is the saddest news for all of us, even while we anxiously wait for survivorsí details and pray for the survival of all,î Banerjee said in a post on X.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said he was deeply shocked by the horrifying crash.
ìMy thoughts are with everyone affected and the families of those on board. Hoping every possible effort is underway for rescue and relief,î he said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said he was in deep sorrow over the crash.
Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav said it was very saddening that the Air India plane crashed and sent prayers for all passengers.
He also demanded authorities give immediate clarification into the plane crash which led to several casualties.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini called the plane crash in Ahmedabad ìsad and painfulî while National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.
ìThere should be a thorough investigation. I think these are new planes, and they should see what really happened. I have not heard that these planes have faced any such difficulties,î he said. CPI General Secretary D Raja said he was deeply shocked by the tragic crash in Ahmedabad and sent his heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann also expressed profound grief and offered condolences, while AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and several other leaders also expressed grief and condolences.
Grand Mufti of India, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. ìI am deeply grieved by this heartbreaking tragedy. My heartfelt prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected. May the injured be granted strength and healing,î the Grand Mufti said.
