Following the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site on Friday to assess the situation and express solidarity with the victims' families. The crash, involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, claimed the lives of 241 people out of the 242 on board, making it one of the worst aviation disasters in India's history.

The aircraft, operating as Air India flight AI171, crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at approximately 1:38 PM. It plummeted into a residential area near B.J. Medical College, causing a massive explosion and fire. The impact affected the college hostel mess, where many students were gathered for lunch, resulting in further casualties on the ground.

Upon arriving in Ahmedabad, PM Modi was briefed on the details of the crash and the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts. He then visited the crash site, where he observed the extent of the devastation and interacted with officials from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies involved in the operation. The Prime Minister's presence aimed to reassure the public and demonstrate the government's commitment to providing support to those affected by the tragedy.

Air India has established assistance centers at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gatwick (London) airports to aid the relatives and friends of the victims. These centers are assisting with travel arrangements to Ahmedabad and providing necessary support. The airline has expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and affirmed its commitment to cooperating with the investigation.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Aviation experts suggest that potential factors could include engine failure, bird hits, or other technical malfunctions. GE Aerospace, the manufacturer of the aircraft's engines, has also offered its support and will send a team to India to analyze data from the crashed plane.

The international community has also expressed its condolences and offered assistance. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong sent a letter to PM Modi, conveying his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims. U.S. officials have stated that they are monitoring the situation but have not seen any immediate safety data that would warrant halting Boeing 787 flights.

As the investigation progresses, authorities are focused on recovering all the bodies and conducting DNA tests to identify the victims. The NDRF has deployed multiple teams to assist with the search and rescue operations. The sole survivor of the crash is currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital.