In a tragic turn of events that has shaken the nation, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the 241 people who lost their lives in the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI171 on Thursday. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad, marking one of the deadliest air disasters in India’s history. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, deeply moved by the loss, visited Vijay Rupani’s family in Ahmedabad on Friday and offered heartfelt condolences, calling the incident “unimaginable.”
A longtime political associate and leader remembered
Vijay Ramniklal Rupani, who served as Gujarat’s Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021, was traveling in business class (Z category) on the ill-fated flight. He was the 12th name listed on the passenger manifest. PM Modi, who had closely worked with Vijay Rupani over several decades, expressed profound grief over the loss. In multiple posts on X, PM Modi described Vijay Rupani as humble, hardworking, and ideologically committed to the BJP. The Prime Minister recalled working with him “shoulder to shoulder” during some of Gujarat’s most challenging times and noted Vijay Rupani’s contributions in various capacities, including as Rajya Sabha MP, Gujarat BJP President, Cabinet Minister, and Chief Minister.
PM Modi emphasized that Vijay Rupani had introduced many reforms to boost Gujarat’s growth and improve the “Ease of Living” during his tenure. The Prime Minister said he would always cherish their conversations and joint efforts for the state’s progress.
Details of the crash and its aftermath
The Air India flight, carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew members—including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and a Canadian—crashed into the residential area of BJ Medical College in Meghaninagar shortly after taking off at around 1:30 PM. The aircraft plummeted into the hostel mess complex, setting off a massive fire and claiming at least two dozen lives on the ground as well.
Only one person survived the crash: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a UK-bound Indian-origin passenger. His brother, who was seated separately, perished in the accident. According to officials, a total of 265 bodies were recovered and transported to the hospital, exceeding the original passenger count due to casualties on the ground.
The DGCA confirmed the pilots had made a mayday call before the aircraft, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar, went down. An investigation is underway.
