National News: Following the crash of Air India Flight AI171, the inferno reached temperatures as high as 1,000°C. This intense heat, triggered by a massive fuel explosion, made it nearly impossible for rescue personnel to reach the trapped passengers. An officer from the fire department explained that within moments of the impact, the aircraft's fuel ignited, sending flames soaring and raising the surrounding temperature to deadly levels.
Fuel Explosion Created Volcanic Heat
Experts likened the thermal intensity to that of volcanic lava, which typically measures around 1140–1170°C. Members of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), dressed in full PPE suits, shared that the searing heat overwhelmed even their highest-grade protective gear. Debris scattered everywhere, and smoldering wreckage made movement hazardous and rescue nearly impossible. Authorities later confirmed the aircraft carried around 125,000 liters of aviation fuel. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, upon inspecting the site, stated that the sheer volume of fuel involved meant survival chances were almost zero. He described the accident as one of India’s darkest days.
Casualty Toll Reaches 241
The ill-fated aircraft was flying from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport when it crashed into a nearby medical college campus. Of the 242 people on board, 230 were passengers and 12 were crew. Tragically, only one person survived. The victims included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens. The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran Line Training Captain with over 8,200 flying hours. First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours of flight experience, was his co-pilot. Both made final efforts to regain control, but the blast and subsequent heat overpowered all technical and human interventions.
Global Mourning, Questions Remain
As the nation mourns the lives lost, questions continue to surface regarding aircraft safety checks and fuel handling protocols. Investigations are underway to understand the root cause behind the fuel explosion and crash trajectory. Experts believe that lapses in pre-flight inspections could have played a role. Authorities are also analyzing black box data for technical clues. Families of victims demand accountability and swift answers. Meanwhile, aviation regulators are under pressure to issue updated safety norms. The tragedy has reignited debate on the preparedness of disaster response units.
