'Tied Hands With Wet Clothes To Lift Bodies': SDRF Official Recalls Risky Ahmedabad Air India Crash Rescue
The SDRF official said the high temperatures at the crash site made it extremely risky for teams to enter the building.
As the investigation into the Ahmedabad Air India crash continues, Sheetal Gujar, SDRF-ASP and nodal officer for the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), recounted the harrowing rescue efforts carried out by personnel in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a hostel building shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, killing 241 passengers and crew members, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
Speaking to ANI, Gujar described the dangerous conditions under which rescue teams operated. 'SDRF played a significant role in evacuating those trapped inside the building. We went inside with oxygen masks. The hands and feet of many got burned, but to rescue them, we tied our hands with wet clothes to lift their bodies. We received 20-30 extra ambulances within just half an hour," he said.
Gujar noted that the high temperatures at the crash site made it extremely risky for teams to enter the building. 'At that time, it was very risky to go inside and carry out the rescue operations as the temperature was very high. The fire department made arrangements for our team to go inside the building. We evacuated the civilians and students inside the hostel. The injured were immediately rushed to the hospital… All the senior officials were in touch with us. We recovered the bodies of all the victims," the SDRF officer told ANI.
He further emphasized that the SDRF's main priority was to ensure the safety of citizens and prevent further damage. '70 to 80 per cent of the operations are carried out by the SDRF… We also aim to secure the area to make sure that further damage does not take place," he was quoted as saying to ANI.
(With inputs from ANI).
First Published:
June 16, 2025, 14:04 IST
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