In a prompt and coordinated response to the tragic crash of an Air India flight, approximately 130 personnel from the Indian Army have been deployed to assist civil authorities in ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. The incident occurred during the takeoff of a London-bound flight carrying 242 passengers, marking a devastating aviation tragedy that recalls the Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision of 1996.
The Army’s deployment includes a combination of engineering units equipped with heavy machinery, such as JCBs, to facilitate the clearing of wreckage. Additionally, medical teams comprising doctors and paramedics are on-site, along with Quick Action Teams (QATs) and fire-fighting units armed with extinguishers and water bowsers. Provost personnel are also present to secure and manage the crash site, aiming to streamline the rescue operations under particularly challenging conditions.
A nearby Military Hospital has been placed on high alert, prepared to provide immediate treatment to the injured. The coordination of rescue efforts has been complicated by widespread debris and thick black smoke, which have significantly hindered initial efforts to reach survivors. Reports indicate that at least five medical students are among those lost in the crash, deepening the nationwide sense of grief.
This swift military action aligns with global best practices seen in previous international air disasters, such as the 2018 Jakarta crash, where rapid deployments played a critical role in enhancing the effectiveness of relief efforts. The Indian Army’s extensive expertise in disaster management is expected to be instrumental in improving outcomes for survivors amid this high-casualty event.
Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, has expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, directing state officials to expedite all rescue and relief initiatives. In response to the urgent need for medical evacuation and logistical support, a green corridor has been established. As the nation mourns the loss, condolences continue to flow in for bereaved families, with widespread prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.
As operations proceed, further updates from both military and civil authorities are anticipated regarding the ongoing investigation and the status of survivors.
