Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Among 241 Dead in Tragic Air India Crash Near Ahmedabad
In a devastating tragedy, former Gujarat Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Rupani, 68, was among the 241 people killed in the Air India plane crash that occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday. The flight, bound for Gatwick Airport in the UK, crashed into a densely populated civilian area near a medical college, sparking a massive fire.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members. Of the 230 passengers, 169 were Indian nationals, along with 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian national. Mr. Rupani, seated in 2D, was reportedly en route to London to visit his daughter.
Union Minister and Gujarat BJP president CR Patil confirmed the former CM’s passing, calling it a “great loss for the BJP.” “He was going to meet his family. May his soul rest in peace,” Mr. Patil said. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu also confirmed his presence on the ill-fated flight, vowing a fair and thorough investigation.
The aircraft lost altitude just two minutes after takeoff, around 1:40 PM, and crashed into the hostel building of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad. The crash caused widespread panic and injuries, particularly among medical students who were inside during lunchtime.
Mr. Rupani, a seasoned politician who served as Gujarat’s 16th Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021, was widely respected for his calm leadership and policy reforms, especially during the post-COVID recovery phase. He remained active in politics even after stepping down, continuing to contribute to the BJP’s strategic initiatives.
He is survived by his wife, Anjali Rupani, a social worker, and their son.
Authorities have since recovered the aircraft’s black box, which is expected to provide crucial data about the final moments before the crash. Though the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is considered one of the safest aircraft globally, this tragedy has cast a shadow over its strong safety record.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief, calling the incident “heartbreaking beyond words.” He added that he is in contact with authorities to coordinate rescue and relief operations.
This marks one of India’s worst air disasters in recent years. In 2020, 18 people died in a runway accident in Kozhikode, and in 2010, 158 lives were lost when a flight overshot the runway in Mangaluru.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
