Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani dies in Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani died on Thursday after an Air India aircraft carrying him and 241 others crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport airport in Ahmedabad in the afternoon, Union minister C R Patil said.

Rupani, 68, was the chief minister from 2016 till 2021, after winning the Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections from Rajkot West seat.

The London-bound flight AI 171, which Rupani took on Monday, was carrying 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian national, apart from two pilots and 10 cabin crew members.

Meanwhile, Tata Group will provide Rs 1 crore to the family of each person who died in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

The aircraft, carrying 242 people, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed immediately after takeoff on Thursday afternoon.

"We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171.

"No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured," Tata Group and Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran said.

In the message posted by Tata Group on X, he also said the group will cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support.

"Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the BJ Medical's hostel.

"We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time," he said.

"This is a very sad incident. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. We have lost two-time former chief minister Vijay Rupani in the crash, which is very sad news for the BJP family," Paatil, the Union Jal Shakti minister and chief of the party's state unit, told reporters.

Rupani, 68, was CM for two terms from August 7, 2016 to September 11, 2021, after winning the Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections from Rajkot West seat. He was presently the BJP's in charge for Punjab.

The London-bound flight AI 171 was carrying 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian national, apart from two pilots and 10 cabin crew members.