Overcrowding at crash site partially hampered firefighting, rescue efforts: Fire dept report

Ahmedabad: Overcrowding at the crash site of Air India Boeing Dreamliner on Thursday partially hampered firefighting and rescue efforts, though not explicitly, the fire department said in its initial report. The report, accessed by ET, also suggested making available better communication equipment like satellite phones to "emergency team members."

Access to the crash site from one side was blocked by onlookers, allowing emergency teams to conduct operations from only three directions, it said, underscoring the need for crowd management.

The report recommended restricting access to "only firefighting responders, rescue team, supply team and emergency team." It also suggested "revision of the disaster management plan along with stockholders."


When contacted, chief fire officer Amit Dongare told ET that the process is still on and he would speak only after the same is over.