Difficult time, stay strong: PM Modi to families at hospital

Taking to X, the Prime Minister posted, “Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.”

Later, he posted, “Chaired a review meeting at Ahmedabad Airport with top authorities.”

The state government said in a statement that Modi visited the crash site “to review the aftermath of the incident”. The Prime Minister “inspected the damaged medical hostel and mess building affected by the plane crash”, it said.

At the crash site, Modi was accompanied by Chief Minister Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil, Gujarat MoS (Home) Harsh Sanghavi, Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi and DGP Vikas Sahay, among others.

After inspecting the site “in detail”, Modi visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, which is near the crash site and interacted with those injured, including the survivor Viswashkumar Ramesh (39).

“He inquired about the health of the injured patients receiving treatment and offered support to the grieving families, urging them to stay strong in this difficult time,” the statement said, adding that Modi also met the doctors and healthcare personnel who sustained injuries.

In another post on X, Modi shared a photo of him and Rupani along with an emotional post recalling their association.

“It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. I’ve known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times. Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the Party’s ideology. Rising up the ranks, he held various responsibilities in the Organisation and went on to serve diligently as Gujarat’s Chief Minister,” Modi posted.

“In every role assigned, he distinguished himself, be it in the Rajkot Municipal Corporation, as Rajya Sabha MP, as Gujarat BJP President and as Cabinet Minister in the state government,” he wrote.

“Vijaybhai and I also worked extensively when he was Gujarat CM. He ushered in many measures that enhanced Gujarat’s growth trajectory, particularly in boosting ‘Ease of Living.’ Will always cherish the interactions we had. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this hour of grief,” he posted.