Amit Shah Says Blaze Intensified as 1.25 Lakh Litres of Fuel Burned in Air India Crash

Union Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the intense fire caused by the burning of nearly 1.25 lakh litres of aviation fuel made rescue efforts nearly impossible in the aftermath of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad.

Speaking to the media after visiting the crash site with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Shah said the extreme heat generated by the explosion left no chance of survival for most onboard.

“There was around 1.25 lakh litres of fuel on the aircraft. The temperature was also very high. Because of this, there was no chance to save anyone,” Shah said.

The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, crashed into a government hospital hostel shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. The impact left a trail of destruction and triggered a massive blaze.

Over 200 people have been confirmed dead, while 41 others sustained injuries. Among the deceased were several medical students residing in the hostel struck by the aircraft.

Shah also confirmed that most bodies had been recovered and that DNA identification efforts were underway. “We are in the process of collecting DNA from victims’ families. This will be completed within a few hours. Families of international passengers have also been contacted, and DNA samples will be collected at the earliest,” he said.

The government has promised full support to the families of the victims. A formal investigation into the crash is being conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from Air India and other aviation authorities.