As of now, there has been no official confirmation of Vijay Rupani’s presence on the flight, although the pre-flight manifest lists him as passenger number 12.
Published Jun 12, 2025 | 8:55 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 12, 2025 | 8:55 PM
Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu described the crash as “shocking and devastating”.
Synopsis: Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar paid tribute to former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who is believed to be among the victims of the deadly Air India Flight AI171 crash on Thursday. As yet, there has been no official confirmation of Vijay Rupani’s presence on the flight, although the pre-flight manifest lists him as a passenger.
Punjab BJP State unit President Sunil Jakhar expressed his condolences over the reported death of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who is believed to be among the victims of the deadly Air India Flight AI171 crash on the afternoon of Thursday, 12 June, in Ahmedabad.
“Extremely saddened and heartbroken to learn that Sh. Vijay Rupani ji was on board the ill-fated Air India plane which crashed today in Ahmedabad,” Jakhar wrote in a post on X.
“His contributions as Gujarat CM would be cherished forever. He was a humble and compassionate human being and a grassroots leader. I have had the lucky fortune of being associated with him as he was in charge of Punjab BJP.”
He added: “He was a real ‘gentleman politician’. Not only Gujarat has lost a great leader in him but it is a personal loss for me, as I found his gentle and soft demeanour so endearing. His sagacity and simplicity in public life will be missed. RIP Rupani ji.”
Extremely saddened and heartbroken to learn that Sh.Vijay Rupani ji was on board the ill fated Air India plane which crashed today in Ahmedabad today. His contributions as Gujarat CM would be cherished forever. He was a humble and compassionate human being and a grassroots… pic.twitter.com/XPKAYb3X4D
— Sunil Jakhar (@sunilkjakhar) June 12, 2025
As of now, there has been no official confirmation of Vijay Rupani’s presence on the flight, although the pre-flight manifest lists him as passenger number 12.
Air India Flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick and scheduled to land at 18.25 local time, crashed in the Meghaninagar locality near Ahmedabad airport shortly after departure at around 1.30 pm on Thursday.
Unconfirmed video footage circulating on X shows the plane flying at a low altitude with its landing gear deployed and its nose pitched upward before turning into a fireball upon impact.
The aircraft, for reasons still unknown, failed to gain altitude as expected after take-off and crashed into the undergraduate hostel mess of BJ Medical College in Meghaninagar shortly after take-off on Thursday afternoon.
The crash has left several students injured and at least two dead, according to initial eyewitness accounts.
Within moments of take-off, the aircraft reportedly issued a Mayday call and lost contact with air traffic control. It crashed into the BJMC UG hostel mess, triggering a massive fire and panic across the college campus.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said shortly after departure, the aircraft issued a Mayday call, but thereafter, air traffic control reportedly received no further response.
Air India Chairperson Natarajan Chandrasekaran called the crash a “tragic accident”, extending condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected.
Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu described the crash as “shocking and devastating” and said that all relevant agencies had been mobilised for a coordinated emergency response.
“Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief,” he said.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
