Prez Murmu, Modi lead nation in expressing shock and grief
PNS|New Delhi
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of different political parties expressed shock and grief over the crash of an Air India plane carrying 242 people in Ahmedabad.
“The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words,” Modi said.
“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,” he said in a post on X.
The Ahmedabad-London Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad minutes after takeoff on Thursday, killing almost everyone.
Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was among the dead.
President Murmu termed the crash a heart-rending disaster, saying the nation stands with the affected people in this hour of indescribable grief.
Dhankhar said the crash has left the nation dealing with a devastating human tragedy, as he mourned the death of people.
In this moment of grief, the nation stands united in solidarity with them, he said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Ahmedabad to take stock of the situation.
“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,” Shah said in a post on X before embarking from Delhi.
BJP president and Union minister J P Nadda said the news of many people being killed in the plane crash is 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.
“I appeal to all BJP workers to engage in relief and rescue operations and provide all possible help to the affected families,” Nadda said.
Expressing shock and grief, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said it is 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, “I 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,” she added.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said the crash is heartbreaking.
“The 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,” he said in a post on X
