News At Nine

THE HEADLINES:

London-bound Air India plane with 242 people onboard crashes near Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat.
169 Indian, 53 British, one Canadian, and 7 Portuguese nationals onboard the ill fated flight.
Gujarat Government urges victims’ families to provide DNA samples for identification; Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani among those killed in the crash.
One survivor with minor injuries found.
President, Vice President and Prime Minister express grief.
Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu at crash site to oversee relief and rescue operations.
Army and NDRF teams engaged in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
And IMD forecasts severe heat wave conditions in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Jammu and Kashmir till Saturday.

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A London-bound Air India passenger plane carrying 242 people, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew members, crashed in the Meghani Nagar area near Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat. Of the passengers, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and 7 Portuguese nationals were onboard flight number AI-171, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London. Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil said that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani lost his life in the incident.

One survivor with minor injuries has been found. He has been identified as Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a British national. The injured were taken to the nearest hospitals.

Gujarat government has made DNA testing arrangements at B. J. Medical College, Ahmedabad in view of the Air India plane crash incident. Families and close ones of the flight passengers, especially their parents and children, have been asked to submit their samples at the location to identify victims at the earliest. This was stated by Additional Chief Secretary in the Gujarat Health Department, Dhananjay Dwivedi, while talking to media. He added that around 50 injured people have been brought to the Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad and they are being provided the best treatment. Mr. Dwivedi also said that the Civil Hospital has issued helpline numbers – 6357373831 and 6357373841 for the relatives of the passengers and other injured.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation informed that an operational control room has been activated at the Ministry to coordinate all details, available at contact numbers 011-24610843 and 9650391859. It added that the Ministry is committed to a swift response and full support for all affected. A dedicated helpline number, PLUS 91 99741 11327, has been set up at Ahmedabad airport for passenger queries and assistance. Another passenger helpline, 1800 5691 444, has also been established by Air India to provide more information.

Indian Army has deployed teams comprising approximately 130 personnel to assist civil administration in the ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts. Fire and police teams were rushed to the site immediately after receiving the alert. Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, comprising 90 personnel, have been deployed from Gandhinagar to the crash site. Three more NDRF teams were moved from Vadodara. The injured have been shifted to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for treatment. Further investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash. Air India has said they are ascertaining the details.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. In a social media post, the President said that it is a heart-rending disaster and her thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. In a social media post, Vice President Dhankhar said that in this moment of grief, the nation stands united in solidarity with the affected people.

Prime Minister Modi has termed the flight crash as heartbreaking beyond words. Mr. Modi said, he is in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected. His thoughts are with everyone affected during this tragic hour.

The Prime Minister spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu regarding the Air India flight crash. He took stock of the situation and asked them to proceed to Ahmedabad. Mr. Modi also directed them to ensure that all possible assistance is extended immediately to those affected by the air mishap.

Home Minister Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu are at the crash site in Ahmedabad to oversee the rescue operations. Mr Naidu said, he is reviewing the ongoing rescue and relief operations.

Central Industrial Security Force has said that its personnel immediately activated emergency protocols and rushed to the site following the crash. The CISF expressed solidarity with the victims and their families in this hour of grief.

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Following the Air India flight crash, Indian railways will run two special trains to facilitate passengers from Ahmedabad. One train will operate from Ahmedabad at 12 AM for Mumbai. Another train from Ahmedabad at 11:30 PM for New Delhi

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The British High Commission in India has issued a helpline number Plus 44 20 7008 5000 in view of the Ahmedabad plane crash. It has been issued to provide support to British nationals who require consular assistance.

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The India Meteorological department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heat waves in parts of Delhi and Punjab. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, IMD Senior scientist Naresh Kumar said that severe heat wave conditions will continue in places over Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Punjab till Saturday.

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External Affairs Ministry today said the meeting between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit will offer opportunity to exchange views on bilateral and global issues. In a reply to the question on Mr Modi’s proposed visit to Canada to attend G-7 Summit, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Prime Minister received a call from the Canadian Prime Minister last week inviting him to the G7 Summit.

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In the FIH Hockey Pro League, Indian Men’s Team today went down 1-2 to Argentina at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands. This is the fourth consecutive defeat of Indian Team in the European leg in Amstelveen.

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In the ICC Cricket World Test Championship Final, Australia today bundled out South Africa for 138 and took a 74-run lead in the first innings of the match at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Australia captain Pat Cummins produced a sensational six-wicket haul to dismantle South Africa.

In the second innings, Australia were 66 for 6 in 23.4 overs when reports last came in. Yesterday, South Africa restricted Australia to 212 runs on the first day of the match. Pacer Kagiso Rabada picked up five-wicket.

Akashvani is broadcasting ball-by-ball commentary on the WTC Final match alternately in Hindi and English. It can be heard on Indraprastha and other channels from 2:55 PM to 10 PM or till the end of the match.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

London-bound Air India plane with 242 people onboard crashes near Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat.
169 Indian, 53 British, one Canadian, and 7 Portuguese nationals onboard the ill fated flight.
Gujarat Government urges victims’ families to provide DNA samples for identification; Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani among those killed in the crash.
One survivor with minor injuries found.
President, Vice President and Prime Minister express grief.
Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu at crash site to oversee relief and rescue operations.
Army and NDRF teams engaged in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
And IMD forecasts severe heat wave conditions in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Jammu and Kashmir till Saturday.