Air India Plane Crash: Devastating Scene Revealed Amidst Emergency Response

The Air India plane crash near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport was a horrific scene that unfolded as first responders arrived on the scene. A first responder described the scene, stating that almost 70% of the passengers were found in their seats, with most having their seatbelts on. The aircraft, a cluster of hostel buildings housing medical students, was engulfed in flames, and the scale of the disaster became apparent as the first set of people to reach the spot, the airport's own fire department, used foam to control the blaze.

Key Takeaways:

• The crash site was spread over an area of 500 meters, with some pieces found 900 meters away.
• 39-year-old Vishwas Kumar, a passenger who survived the crash, exited the burning aircraft through one of the emergency doors.
• The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) pressed six teams into service, with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) also arriving at the scene.
• Aircraft crash investigators reached the site within four hours of the incident, and the crash site was preserved for about two days to allow forensic experts to carry out their investigation.
• More than 40-50 vehicles on the ground were destroyed in the crash, and several hundred litres of Aviation Gasoline were sprayed across the site, leading to multiple fires.
• Water pooling around the site during firefighting operations was so hot that it left people without protective gear scalded.
• Most passengers had third-degree burns, and some bodies were so charred that first responders could not put into words what they witnessed.
• DNA profiling was carried out to accurately identify the remains of loved ones, a process expected to take 72 hours.
• The Ahmedabad Civil Hospital witnessed heart-rending scenes as family members gave their blood samples for DNA profiling.

Statistics:

• The crash site was spread over an area of 500 meters.
• Some pieces of the aircraft were found 900 meters away from the main crash site.
• 130 personnel of the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) were deployed to the scene, along with 6 teams from the NDRF.
• 40-50 vehicles were destroyed in the crash.
• Several hundred litres of Aviation Gasoline were sprayed across the site, leading to multiple fires.
• The temperature of the fire was over 700 degrees Celsius.
• DNA profiling is expected to take 72 hours.

Sources:

• "Air India plane crash: Relief and rescue efforts ongoing; Centre reaches out to families", The Indian Express, no date available.
• "Air India plane crash: Family members give blood samples for DNA profiling", The Indian Express, no date available.