June 12, 2025: In a devastating development, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has been confirmed dead in the tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash that occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday. BJP’s Gujarat state chief officially confirmed Rupani’s demise, sending shockwaves through the political and public spheres.
The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, crashed in a densely populated residential area near Meghaninagar, just five minutes after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Also read: Air India Crash-LIVE Updates- CCTV Footage of Crash Emerges-Watch
Key Updates on Ahmedabad Plane Crash:
- Flight AI171, operating with 242 people onboard, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew, went down in a fireball.
- Casualties: Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has died; many feared dead.
- Survivor Identified: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, seated in 11A, survived. Locals found him limping and helped rescue him from the burning wreckage.
- Passenger Nationalities:
- 169 Indian nationals
- 53 British citizens
- 7 Portuguese nationals
- 1 Canadian
- Emergency Hotlines Activated:
- Ministry of Civil Aviation: 011-24610843 | 9650391859
- Air India Passenger Hotline: 1800 5691 444
- Ahmedabad City Police: 07925620359
Government Responds: PM Modi, Shah, and Aviation Minister on Site
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation, issuing immediate directives for rescue and relief operations.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Home Minister Amit Shah have reached Ahmedabad, where firefighters, NDRF teams, and emergency personnel continue operations at the crash site.
The crash has been termed one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history.
Crash Location and Impact
The aircraft plunged into a residential zone, causing destruction to buildings within a medical college campus area. Footage from social media shows massive plumes of dark smoke and flames engulfing the wreckage, with emergency sirens audible in the background.
Official Investigations and Next Steps
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sent a high-level investigation team to probe the cause of the crash. The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) will be crucial in determining the final moments of the flight, which gave a Mayday call minutes after takeoff.
Air India has removed the flight from its live tracker and suspended updates across digital channels, following global aviation disaster protocol.
Conclusion
As rescue operations continue into the night, the loss of a prominent political leader, the survival of at least one passenger, and global implications for Boeing’s Dreamliner safety record ensure this tragedy will resonate far beyond India’s borders.