Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Was Onboard Air India Flight That Crashed in Ahmedabad

Post Date: 13 June, 2025

Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani: Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 – A heart-wrenching disaster struck this afternoon when Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people, crashed mere moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Was Onboard Air India Flight

The flight, bound for London Gatwick, plummeted into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area at approximately 1:39 p.m. IST, reducing the aircraft to smoldering wreckage.

Flight Details & Immediate Aftermath

• The Dreamliner, tail number VT‑ANB, climbed to about 625 ft before rapidly descending and impacting a hostel building just 30 seconds after becoming airborne. The crew issued a frantic “Mayday” call before communication was lost.
• A lone passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh—a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, seated at 11A—survived the crash. Miraculously ejected, he is now in critical care.
• Of the 242 occupants, there were 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder

  

Casualties & National Impact

• 241 onboard lost their lives, along with 28 individuals on the ground, bringing the confirmed death toll to 269. At least 61 people were reported injured.
• Among the deceased was Vijay Rupani, who served as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021.
• The victims included people of various nationalities: approximately 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian

Emergency Response Unfolds

• Witnesses described horrifying scenes: “thick smoke”, “balls of fire”, and the sound of multiple explosions as the aircraft struck the building.
• Rescue operations mounted swiftly, with Gujarat police, NDRF, IAF, BSF, and NSG units arriving to lift survivors, tend to the injured, and recover bodies.
• A “green corridor” was declared by CM Bhupendra Patel to expedite transport of injured and critical resources.

Government & Official Statements

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu coordinated federal support and expressed shock and deep sorrow.
• PM Narendra Modi, along with international leaders such as King Charles III and UK PM Keir Starmer, extended condolences.

  

Investigation & Airline Measures

• The DGCA confirmed the aircraft’s identity and grounded all Boeing 787 operations, pending investigations. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and Boeing engineers are leading the inquiry.
• At the crash site, authorities have recovered at least one black box and begun DNA sample collection for victim identification.
• Boeing’s stock suffered a 5% dip today, reflecting concerns amid the crisis.

Why This Crash Matters?

• This tragedy is confirmed as India’s deadliest single-aircraft disaster—235 lives lost aboard and on the ground.
• It marks the first fatal accident of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in India, raising questions about aircraft systems, particularly take-off configuration.

  

Flight Details

Detail	Value
Flight	Air India AI 171, Boeing 787‑8 (VT‑ANB)
Departure	Ahmedabad, 1:39 p.m. IST
Destination	London Gatwick
Occupants	242 (230 pax, 12 crew)
Casualties	241 onboard + 28 ground = 269 fatalities; 1 survivor; 61+ injured
Survivor	Vishwash K. Ramesh (seat 11A)
Notables onboard	Ex-Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani
Crash site	B.J. Medical College hostel, Meghani Nagar
Status	Investigation ongoing, fleet grounded, black box recovered

This devastating loss has rocked India and the global aviation community. Our thoughts are with the grieving families. Further updates and investigation findings will be shared as they emerge.

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