Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, June 12: Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani has been confirmed dead in the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 near Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which was en route to London with 242 people on board—including 230 adults, 2 infants, and 12 crew members—crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. As may as 204 people have been confirmed dead when reports last came in. Official sources confirm that Vijay Rupani was passenger number 11 A and was seated in the Z-class of the business section. The aircraft reportedly crashed in a densely populated residential area in Meghani Nagar just five minutes after departure, igniting a massive fire.
Amid the devastation, a glimmer of hope emerged. Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada (38), who was seated in seat 11A, miraculously survived. According to Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G S Malik, “One survivor was found in seat 11A. He has been located and is undergoing treatment at the hospital.” Malik added that the final death toll may rise as recovery operations continue. He is said to be the sole survivor as of now.
Deceased former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani & survivor Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada
Eyewitness footage captured a bloodied but conscious Ramesh walking away from the crash site. Reports suggest he may have jumped from the aircraft during the crash sequence. Seat 11A, according to Aerolopa's seat maps for the Boeing 787-8, is a window seat located at the front of the economy cabin, two rows ahead of the aircraft's wings.
The flight was being piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with over 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kunder, a native of Mangaluru, who had logged 1,100 hours. The 10-member cabin crew included senior attendants Shradha Dhavan and Aparna Mahadik, among others.
Former CM Vijay Rupani, 68, was seated in the business class Z section. Known for his tenure from 2016 to 2021 and his longstanding association with the BJP, Rupani’s death marks a significant political loss. Born in Yangon (then Rangoon), Myanmar, Rupani had a long political career, including stints as Mayor of Rajkot and a Member of the Rajya Sabha.
All operations at Ahmedabad airport have been suspended until further notice. Aviation authorities including the Director of Airworthiness and Flight Operations Inspectors, who were present in the city on other assignments, have begun investigations into the cause of the crash.
Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 230 passengers—including two infants—and 12 crew members, departed at 1:39 pm. Within minutes, radar data showed the aircraft climbed only 625 feet before it lost contact with air traffic control and plunged into a residential area in Meghani Nagar. The impact set off a massive blaze and damaged multiple buildings, including the hostel block of B J Medical College and Hospital.
Tata group announces Rs 1 cr to families of deceased
Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran said the group would provide Rs 1 crore to the families of each person who lost their life in the tragedy. He added that Tata would also bear the medical expenses of the injured and ensure they received all necessary care and support. Additionally, the group would extend assistance in rebuilding the hostel block of B J Medical College, he stated.
Video of crash survivor
Updated
Air India flight crash - Chances of any survivors slim, say sources
Daijiworld Media Network – Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Jun 12: An Air India flight en route to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed near Ahmedabad shortly after take-off on Thursday afternoon, between 1 pm and 2 pm local time. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as Flight AI171, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members when the incident occurred.
As per sources, chances of survivors remain slim.
Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani is also suspected to be on board the Air India plane to London.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation and civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu is rushing to Ahmedabad to assess the situation.
Preliminary reports indicate that the plane reached an altitude of approximately 825 feet before it suddenly lost altitude and crashed onto BJ Medical College UG hostel mess in Meghani Nagar. Many MBBS students have lost their lives. Thick grey smoke was seen billowing from the crash site, which lies close to the airport premises in a densely populated area.
Air India, in a brief statement, confirmed the incident and said: "Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad–London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest."
The flight departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 hrs and had 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national on board.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with more than two dozen ambulances and several fire and medical teams deployed to the site. Multiple injured passengers have already been transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Rescue operations are ongoing.
To aid the families of those on board, Air India has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number: 1800 5691 444.
Access routes to the airport and the crash zone have been cordoned off, and traffic diversions are in place to facilitate smooth emergency operations and reduce congestion in the area. Further updates are expected as the investigation and rescue efforts continue.
Earlier report
Air India flight to London crashes near Ahmedabad airport, 242 aboard
Daijiworld Media Network – Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Jun 12: An Air India flight bound for London with 242 passengers on board crashed near the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, triggering large-scale rescue operations and widespread panic in the area.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport in the densely populated Meghani area. Thick plumes of black smoke were seen rising from the crash site, as captured in visuals shared by media.
According to preliminary reports, the flight encountered an emergency situation shortly after take-off and went down in a residential area, prompting immediate response from local residents, who rushed to assist in the rescue efforts even before emergency services arrived.
Seven fire engines and multiple rescue teams were deployed to the site to control the blaze and search for survivors. Details about casualties or injuries are still awaited as the situation unfolds.