Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was confirmed dead in the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that plummeted shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon. The flight, bound for London Gatwick, carried 242 passengers and crew, with multiple casualties reported.
Gujarat BJP President CR Patil announced the loss, stating, “Our respected former CM Vijay Rupani was on board. Tragically, he is among the victims of this accident. May his soul rest in peace.”
Rupani, travelling in business class (Z category), was reportedly en route to London to meet his wife, Anjali, and daughter, with plans to return later this month. A poignant image of a passenger taking a selfie with Rupani moments before departure has surfaced on social media, amplifying the sense of grief. A viral boarding pass displaying his full name, Vijay Ramniklal Rupani, and seat details from Flight AI-171 has further underscored the tragedy.
Senior BJP leader Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, visibly distraught, confirmed Rupani’s presence on the flight, telling reporters, “He was on board. We are rushing to the Civil Hospital to gather more details.”
Born in 1956 in Yangon, Myanmar, Rupani relocated to Rajkot with his family due to political unrest in Burma. A prominent BJP figure, he served as Gujarat’s Chief Minister from August 7, 2016, to September 11, 2021, succeeding Anandiben Patel. Re-elected in 2017 from Rajkot West, he led the state alongside Deputy CM Nitin Patel, earning praise for his administrative skill and composed leadership until his resignation in 2021.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed profound sorrow over the incident. Modi has instructed Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu to oversee rescue and coordination efforts in Ahmedabad. Senior BJP leaders and citizens across Gujarat have mourned Rupani’s death, describing it as a significant loss for the state and nation.
Flight AI-171 departed at 1:39 p.m. IST and issued a Mayday call shortly after take-off, signalling a critical emergency. FlightRadar24 data revealed the aircraft reached only 625 feet before descending uncontrollably at a rate of -475 feet per minute, vanishing from radar. The plane crashed in a residential area near BJ Medical College, with smoke and debris marking the impact site just outside the airport perimeter.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), alongside Boeing’s technical team and aviation investigators, is analysing the aircraft’s black box, maintenance records, and pilot communications. Preliminary reports suggest the plane struggled to gain altitude, possibly due to a sudden mechanical failure. Eyewitnesses reported the aircraft veering erratically before the crash.