On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The disaster resulted in 245 fatalities, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, marking one of India’s deadliest civil aviation tragedies.
Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Dies in Ahmedabad Air India Crash
Crash Overview & Immediate Aftermath
- The aircraft climbed just 650 ft before abruptly losing altitude and crashing into the campus of B.J. Medical College and Civil Hospital in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad.
- All passengers and crew on board, including Rupani, perished—except one British survivor, Viswashkumar Ramesh.
- Among the casualties on the ground were four hospital staff, a pregnant doctor’s wife, and multiple resident doctors.
- Airport operations were suspended for over two hours during rescue and recovery efforts.
🕊️ Vijay Rupani: A Legacy Cut Short
- Vijay Ramniklal Rupani (b. August 2, 1956 – d. June 12, 2025) served as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021.
- Born in Yangon (formerly Rangoon) and relocated to Rajkot, Rupani rose from RSS cadre and student activist to political prominence as Mayor of Rajkot, then MP (Rajya Sabha), state minister, and ultimately CM.
- Known for his modest, low‑profile style, Rupani was lauded across party lines for his calm and affable demeanor.
📜 Political Impact & Condolences
- CR Patil, BJP state chief, confirmed Rupani’s presence on the flight and mourned it as a tragic loss.
- Leaders across the political spectrum—trade colleagues, opposition members, and social activists—extended condolences, calling him a “gentleman politician” and “grassroots leader”.
- Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav called for detailed investigation into the crash and postponed events as a mark of respect.
🛫 Crash History & Safety Concerns
- Rupani is the second Gujarat CM to die in an aviation incident, the first being Balwantrai Mehta in 1965.
- This tragic event joins a string of high-profile political aviation deaths—such as Sanjay Gandhi (1980) and YS Rajasekhara Reddy (2009)—prompting renewed calls for aviation safety reforms for public figures.
🔍 Investigation Underway
- Preliminary findings point to a technical failure, preceded by a “Mayday” call shortly after takeoff.
- The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in coordination with Boeing and Air India, has confiscated the flight data and cockpit voice recorders.
- Authorities are also analyzing ground safety protocols, especially considering the plane crashed into a populated medical campus.
Broader Implications
- Gujarat and the broader political sphere are reeling from the unprecedented magnitude of loss.
- The incident has intensified debates on air safety protocols for VIP travel, with major airlines and government bodies expected to reassess measures for high-profile passengers .
- Locals and medical professionals, many injured or displaced, are mourning mixed with anger over a preventable tragedy in a sensitive area .
What’s Next?
| Area | Focus |
|---|---|
| Investigation | AAIB to analyze black box data, mechanical logs, and ATC communications |
| Policy Review | DGCA and airline consortium may issue new norms for safe VIP transport |
| Support Systems | Government outreach for families of crash victims, affected hospital staff |
| Public Assurance | Demonstrating transparency and fast-paced rebuilding of trust in aviation safety |
This catastrophic crash not only resulted in significant loss of life but also serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities that still exist in India’s skies. As Gujarat mourns, the investigation and broader safety dialogue will shape the nation’s response.
Also Read: From Takeoff to Tragedy: Ahmedabad’s Aviation Sorrow