In a tragic aviation disaster, former Gujarat Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Rupani was among 241 people who lost their lives when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday. The aircraft was headed to London’s Gatwick Airport when it crashed into a civilian area near the city airport, specifically striking a medical college hostel in the Meghani Nagar locality.
Air India confirmed that the ill-fated flight, which took off at 1:38 p.m., was carrying 242 passengers and crew members, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national. Vijay Rupani, 68, was traveling to London to meet his daughter and was seated in 2D. Only two minutes into the flight, the aircraft suddenly lost altitude and plummeted into the densely populated area, sparking a massive fire and panic.
Rescue teams and emergency responders rushed to the scene, and the aircraft’s black box has been successfully recovered. Aviation experts believe it will play a critical role in determining the cause of the crash. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, known for its modern technology and generally strong safety record, has not previously recorded a fatal accident until now.
The disaster has shocked the nation, drawing grief and condolences from all corners. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it “heartbreaking beyond words.” He stated on X “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. My thoughts are with everyone affected by it.”
This devastating crash brings back memories of earlier Air India tragedies. In 2020, 18 people died when an Air India Express plane overshot the runway in Kozhikode. In 2010, an Air India flight from Dubai crashed in Mangaluru, killing 158 passengers. As the nation mourns the lives lost, including that of a prominent political figure, the aviation community is under immense pressure to uncover the cause of this disaster and prevent such tragedies in the future.
