Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad: Former CM Vijay Rupani Onboard Air India Plane

A tragic Air India plane crash occurred on Thursday afternoon in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad. The flight, Air India AI 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed into a residential area just five minutes after takeoff.

The plane took off at 1:38 PM from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and was on its way to London. Moments later, it lost contact and crashed around Meghani Nagar, causing massive fire and destruction. Thick black smoke was seen rising from the area.

242 People Were Onboard

Air India confirmed that the flight was carrying 242 people in total. This includes 230 adult passengers, 2 infants, and 12 crew members. The plane was piloted by Captain Sumit Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kunder.

Emergency teams were sent to the spot immediately. The fire brigade and airport disaster teams were quick to begin rescue operations. A team from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), including DAW, ADAW, and FOI officers, is now in Ahmedabad to investigate the crash.

Vijay Rupani Possibly Onboard

Sources have raised concern that Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, may have been on the flight. His presence has not been officially confirmed, but authorities are trying to verify the full list of passengers.

Rupani, a BJP leader, served as Gujarat’s 16th Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021. He represented Rajkot West in the state assembly and is a well-known political figure in the state.

Eyewitness Reports

Locals in Meghani Nagar said they heard a loud blast and saw flames soon after. Some houses in the area caught fire due to the crash. Emergency crews are still trying to control the fire and search for survivors.

An eyewitness said, “The sound was deafening. We saw fire all over the sky. Some parts of the plane hit rooftops.”

Investigation Underway

The DGCA has launched an investigation. Details about what caused the crash will be shared after initial findings. Families of passengers have been asked to contact helpline numbers for any updates.

This is one of the most serious aviation accidents in India in recent years. More updates are expected in the coming hours.