Ahmedabad, India – June 12, 2025 – In a day etched in sorrow for India, a London-bound Air India flight, AI171, crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, claiming the lives of 241 passengers and crew. Among the victims of this devastating tragedy was Ex Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, a respected political figure whose sudden demise has sent shockwaves across the nation.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 individuals (including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 12 crew), plummeted into a medical college hostel in the residential area of Meghani Nagar, bursting into flames. The impact also resulted in the tragic deaths of at least eight people on the ground, including four medical students. As rescue operations continue amidst the debris and devastation, only one passenger, a British national identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, has miraculously survived the horrific incident.
The Loss of a Leader: Ex Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani
The news of Ex Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani’s death has been met with profound grief from all corners. Rupani, aged 68, was a prominent and well-regarded leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), having served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021. He was reportedly en route to London to visit his family, a trip he had reportedly rescheduled from an earlier date.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing his deep condolences, met with Rupani’s family, stating that it was “unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi lauded Rupani as a “humble and hardworking” person, firmly committed to the party’s ideology. He highlighted Rupani’s distinguished career, which included various roles from the Rajkot Municipal Corporation to Rajya Sabha MP, Gujarat BJP President, and a Cabinet Minister in the state government. “Vijaybhai and I also worked extensively when he was the Gujarat CM. He ushered in many measures that enhanced Gujarat’s growth trajectory, particularly in boosting ‘Ease of Living.’ Will always cherish the interactions we had,” the Prime Minister wrote.
Union Minister C.R. Paatil also confirmed the former Chief Minister’s passing, expressing immense sorrow. Condolences poured in from leaders across the political spectrum, remembering Rupani for his simplicity, accessibility, and dedication to public service. Neighbours in Rajkot, the city he once led and always loved, recalled him as “Vijaybhai – our neighbour, friend,” who always made time for people and listened more than he spoke.
- An Eerie Coincidence: The Number “1206”
A poignant detail has emerged following Rupani’s death – the number “1206.” For Ex Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, this wasn’t just a random sequence of digits; it was a symbol of luck, a number that featured on every vehicle he owned and which his friends said he deeply believed in. In a cruel twist of fate, the crash occurred on June 12 (12/06), mirroring the very number he held so close. This eerie coincidence has added another layer of somber reflection to the tragedy.
- The Crash: What We Know So Far
Air India flight AI171 departed from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time. It was scheduled to land at London Gatwick. Moments after takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital’s doctors’ hostel. Witnesses reported a massive explosion and plumes of black smoke rising into the sky.
The aircraft involved was an 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a model that had not been involved in any fatal accidents prior to this incident. Investigations have already begun, with India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau leading the probe, assisted by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and British investigators. The flight data recorder, commonly known as the “black box,” was recovered from the crash site, an essential step in determining the cause of this catastrophic event. Aviation experts have suggested that the position of the plane’s wing flaps during takeoff may have contributed to the problem. Videos verified by the BBC show the plane descending rapidly before a large explosion upon impact.
- A History of Air Tragedies Claiming Prominent Lives
The tragic death of Ex Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani adds his name to a somber list of prominent Indian political figures and personalities who have lost their lives in air accidents. This grim roster includes:
- Homi J. Bhabha (1966): India’s pioneering nuclear physicist, aboard Air India Flight 101, which crashed into Mont Blanc.
- Sanjay Gandhi (1980): Congress leader and son of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in a private plane crash in Delhi.
- Madhavrao Scindia (2001): Senior Congress leader and former civil aviation minister, in a private plane crash in Uttar Pradesh.
- G.M.C. Balayogi (2002): Then-Lok Sabha Speaker, in a helicopter crash in Andhra Pradesh.
- O.P. Jindal (2005): Industrialist and Haryana minister, in a helicopter crash.
- Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (2009): Then-Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, in a helicopter crash in the Nallamala forest.
- Dorjee Khandu (2011): Then-Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, in a helicopter crash.
- General Bipin Rawat (2021): India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, in a military helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu.
Each of these tragedies left an indelible mark on the nation, and the current Air India crash, with its staggering loss of life and the passing of a beloved public figure like Ex Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, reiterates the unpredictable and often cruel nature of fate.
- The Road Ahead
As the nation grapples with this immense loss, the focus remains on identifying the victims, providing support to their grieving families, and thoroughly investigating the cause of the crash. The recovery of the black box offers a glimmer of hope for answers, which will be crucial for preventing such horrific incidents in the future. The memory of Ex Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani and all those who perished on Air India flight AI171 will undoubtedly serve as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of continued vigilance in aviation safety. The outpouring of condolences and shared grief across India highlights the collective sorrow for a tragedy that has touched so many lives.