Ex Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Killed in Air India Plane Crash: CR Paatil
"Our leader & ex CM Vijaybhai Rupani was going to meet his family on the same flight," said Union Minister CR Paatil
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Former Gujarat CM and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Rupani was among those killed in the London-bound Air India flight that crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, 12 June, Union Minister CR Paatil told the media.
"Our leader and former CM Vijaybhai Rupani was going to meet his family on the same flight. He too, was killed in this mishap. May his soul rest in peace. This is a big loss for the BJP family," he said.
Soon after the crash, teary-eyed relatives and party workers thronged Rupani's Rajkot residence.
Relatives mourn outside the residence of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in Rajkot, Thursday, 12 June 2025.
(Photo: PTI)
Earlier, Gujarat Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil also expressed his condolences over Rupani's demise.
The Air India aircraft carrying 242 passengers crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, minutes after takeoff, the airline confirmed in a statement.
"Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off. The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft," the airlines said in a statement.
The aircraft crashed on a doctors' hostel at BJ Medical College outside the perimeter of the airport minutes after taking off, where many undergraduate MBBS students are also feared dead.
Speaking to The Associated Press, Ahmedabad Commissioner GS Malik said, “It appears there are no survivors in the plane crash,” adding there might be more casualties other than the passengers since the flight crashed in a residential area with offices.
The injured passengers and hostel residents have been taken to several nearby hospitals, including the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Family members rushed to the hospitals in search of their loved ones, as many are still unaware of their whereabouts.