Ahmedabad plane crash: Did Turkish team work on London-bound Dreamliner that crashed on June 12? Ankara refutes Baba Ramdev's allegations, says...
Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev has claimed that a Turkish firm was tasked with the maintenance of the ill-fated Air India Boeing Dreamliner 787 which was involved in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. (File)
Ahmedabad plane crash: Turkey on Sunday refuted allegations made by Yoga guru Baba Ramdev that the London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner which crashed in Gujarat on June 12, killing 241 onboard, was maintained by a Turkish technical team. In an official statement, Ankara termed the allegations as false and 'misinformation' aimed at spoiling India-Turkey relations.
'The claim that the maintenance of the Boeing 787-8 passenger aircraft was done by Turkish Technic is false,' the statement said, maintaining that Turkish Technic– the maintenance, repair and overhaul center of Turkish Airlines, which also serves 3rd-party airlines at its maintenance hangar at the Istanbul Airport– was never tasked with the servicing or maintenance of Air India's ill-fated Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Turkish Technic never serviced Air India's Boeing 787-8
Turkish authorities also revealed that the maintenance agreements signed between Air India and Turkish Technic in 2024-25 were limited to the B777-type wide-body aircraft only.
'Turkish Technic has not serviced any Air India aircraft of this type till date,' the statement said, asserting that claims were aimed at 'manipulating' public opinion in India about India-Turkey relations. Won't name company that last serviced crashed AI-171
Turkish authorities also said they are aware of the company that last serviced the crashed plane, but declined to name the firm to prevent unnecessary speculation.
'We know which company performed the most recent maintenance of the crashed aircraft, but it is beyond our scope to make a statement on this matter to avoid further speculation. The Center for Countering Disinformation will continue to monitor and take necessary measures against attempts targeting the reputation of our major brands, which represent Turkey on the international stage.' Turkish people share India's grief
The statement also extended Turkey's condolences to India over the the deaths caused in the fatal Ahmedabad plane crash, saying the people of Turkey 'sincerely share the grief of the Indian people over this tragic plane crash'.
Expressing condolences to India, the statement said, 'As the people of Turkey, we sincerely share the grief of the Indian people over this tragic plane crash. Respectfully presented for public information.' Baba Ramdev claims Turkish Technic serviced ill-fated Air India plane
Earlier, Patanjali founder and Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev had claimed that a Turkish firm was tasked with the maintenance of the ill-fated Air India flight AI-171 that crashed minutes after take off earlier this week.
'I have come to know that the maintenance and service of the aircraft was done by a Turkish agency. India will have to keep a close eye on the aviation sector. There is a possibility of conspiracy by that agency. India will have to stop the interference of foreign companies in such sensitive matters,' Ramdev had claimed. Ahmedabad plane crash
An India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London, Gatwick, crashed shortly after take off on Thursday, killing 241 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The lone survivor, identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment.
Veteran pilots with years of flying experience believe the accident could have happened due to the simultaneous failure of both engines of the aircraft, a rare occurrence but not something unheard of.
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