Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that rescue efforts at the Air India crash site in Ahmedabad failed because the heat was too extreme due to the burning of around 1.25 lakh litres of aircraft fuel. He visited the crash site along with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

“There was no chance to save anyone,” says Amit Shah

Speaking to reporters at the crash site, Amit Shah said,

"There was around 1.25 lakh litres of fuel on the aircraft. The temperature was also very high. Because of which, there was no chance to save anyone."

The Air India flight AI-171, carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon. It crashed into a government hospital hostel near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft caught fire moments after the crash, leaving behind a field of debris and burning wreckage.

More than 200 people have been confirmed dead, and at least 41 others are injured. It is one of the deadliest plane crashes in recent years.

DNA tests to identify victims underway

Amit Shah said that DNA identification work has started to confirm the identities of the victims.

"I visited the site of the accident. Almost all the bodies have been recovered. We are in the process of collecting the DNA of the victims' family members. The process will be completed in a couple of hours. We have informed all families of passengers living abroad. "As soon as possible, we will collect their DNA samples too," Shah added.

He said that 1,000 DNA tests will be conducted by both central and state forensic science labs.

"The central and state forensic science labs will work on this. We don't need to go out. The final death toll will only be known once the DNA tests are done," Shah explained.

One man survives crash

Shah said that he also met the only survivor from the crash—Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada, a 38-year-old British national who was seated in seat 11A, right behind an emergency exit.

Conveying condolences, Shah said,

"The entire country is devastated and today stands with the families of those who lost their lives."

He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was informed immediately.

"Within 10 minutes of the accident, the union government was informed... PM Modi called me immediately after he was informed about the incident."

The Civil Aviation Minister has asked for a quick investigation into the crash.

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