Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 – Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was not on board the Air India flight that crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, contrary to some early speculation circulating on social media.

The tragic incident involved Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, which crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, which took off from Runway 23 at 1:39 pm, went down within minutes in the Meghaninagar area—a densely populated locality near the airport.

Crash Details and Initial Response

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the aircraft had 242 individuals onboard, including:

• 2 Pilots

• 10 Cabin Crew Members

• 230 Passengers

The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar as co-pilot. The aircraft reportedly encountered trouble almost immediately after becoming airborne.

Visuals from the site showed thick black smoke billowing into the sky as emergency responders, firefighters, and medical teams rushed to the area to initiate rescue and evacuation operations.

Confirmation About Vijay Rupani

Amid the chaos and confusion following the crash, rumours began to circulate about the presence of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani on the ill-fated flight. Officials from his office later clarified that he was not travelling on AI-171 and had no connection with the incident, putting all such speculation to rest.

Authorities React

The incident prompted an immediate response from both state and central authorities:

• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel cut short his engagements in Surat and returned to Ahmedabad to oversee the response operations

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the Chief Minister, State Home Minister, and the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, offering central assistance

• Air India, in a statement on X, confirmed the incident and said that a full investigation and damage assessment was underway

“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025,” the airline posted, promising updates as more details emerged.

Ongoing Operations and Investigation

Rescue teams are actively working at the crash site in Meghaninagar, an area known for its tight urban layout and high population density. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion, followed by flames and smoke engulfing parts of the aircraft debris.

The DGCA and Civil Aviation Ministry have confirmed that:

• A detailed probe has been launched

• The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) will be retrieved for analysis

• Air India’s technical and operations teams are cooperating fully with investigators

Public and Political Reactions

As news of the crash spread, messages of shock and solidarity began pouring in from across the country.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to issue a formal statement shortly

• Leaders from all major parties expressed condolences for the lives feared lost

• Citizens across Gujarat are participating in blood donation drives and volunteering at hospitals and shelters for affected families

Conclusion

While the exact cause of the crash is yet to be officially confirmed, early indications suggest a possible technical failure or engine issue. Meanwhile, rumours about the presence of political figures such as Vijay Rupani on the flight have been categorically denied.

As the nation mourns and emergency efforts continue, authorities are urging the public to refrain from spreading unverified information and rely on official sources for updates.

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