Air India Crash: How Gujarat’s Famed Disaster Management Abilities Proved Invaluable | India News
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From first responders to hospital teams, the focus remained steadfastly on human dignity and swift, sensitive care
Rescue operation after the Air India plane crashed near Ahmedabad airport on June 12. (Image: @CISFHQrs/PTI)
A routine afternoon on June 12 turned chaotic when reports of a major plane crash near Ahmedabad airport emerged shortly after 1.41 pm. The response that followed showcased Gujarat’s impressive emergency preparedness, with the state machinery acting with urgency, precision, and humanity.
Moments after the first distress call was received, Gujarat’s 108 Emergency Medical Services sprang into action. Four ambulances were dispatched immediately, with the first arriving at the site in just three minutes. By 2.10 pm, 31 ambulances had reached the location. “In no time, 176 victims, including survivors and injured, were transferred to nearby hospitals,” top government sources informed CNN-News18.
The crash site’s proximity to the 108 EMS supervisory office—about 50 meters away—facilitated a swift response. According to EMRI Green Health Services chief operating officer (COO) Jashvant Prajapati, supervisor Satinder Sandhu heard the crash and quickly alerted the command centre, initiating a multi-agency response involving the police, fire, and disaster response teams.
“In just ten minutes, 31 ambulances were at the site. That level of rapid mobilisation reflects strong training and interagency coordination,” Prajapati noted. The 108 EMS team handled over 25 emergency calls, deploying 80 personnel, including paramedics and support staff, to manage the situation. Additionally, 25 ambulances remained on standby late into the evening.
The efforts extended beyond immediate rescue operations. Medical and forensic teams across Gujarat sprang into action. A contingent of 140 doctors was mobilised from neighbouring districts to conduct post-mortems. “Starting at 4.30 pm on June 12 and continuing through the night, post-mortem operations went on non-stop until 5 am the next day,” state officials reported. In just 12 hours and 30 minutes, most autopsies were completed, with nearly all required DNA samples collected. Hospitals, including Sola Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar Civil Hospital, and health centres in Kheda, Anand, Mehsana, and beyond, coordinated seamlessly. Forensic specialists and dental surgeons worked together to ensure the timely identification and dignified handover of remains to grieving families.
Gujarat’s health minister Rushikesh Patel praised the medical team’s efforts, stating, “Salute to the service commitment of civil staff… Congratulations and best wishes to the staff of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for their dedicated work in saving the life of a passenger who fortunately survived the Ahmedabad plane crash by providing proper and timely treatment.”
As Gujarat mourns the loss of many of its residents, the resilience of its institutions and the compassion of its personnel stand out. From first responders to hospital teams, the focus remained steadfastly on human dignity and swift, sensitive care.
State home minister Harsh Sanghavi commended the rescue efforts, stating, “A commendable effort by the rescue teams. This is a shining example of swift response and deep commitment to saving lives.”
Officials say that, guided by the spirit of “seva” championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat—known for its crisis management—has once again demonstrated that its governance extends beyond politics and administration to deeply human acts of service and solidarity.
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