Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was among the passengers aboard an Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as Air India Flight 171, was en route to London’s Gatwick Airport. The flight took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:10 pm and crashed just five minutes into its journey. The crash site is located near the airport, with visuals showing thick black smoke billowing into the sky from adjoining areas.
According to a passenger list – Vijay Ramniklal Rupani – was listed as the 12th passenger, travelling in Z class — Air India’s Business Class. The flight was carrying a total of 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the incident, with at least seven fire engines dispatched to the site.
Rupani served as Gujarat’s Chief Minister from August 2016 to September 2021, stepping down ahead of the 2022 state elections. His current condition has not yet been confirmed.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, and updates are expected as rescue and relief efforts continue.
