AHMEDABAD | June 13, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met with the family of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was among the 241 individuals who lost their lives in the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, minutes after it took off from Ahmedabad en route to London.
According to the passenger manifest accessed by India Today, Vijay Ramniklal Rupani was listed as the 12th passenger on board and had been travelling in Z class, part of the airline’s Business Class segment.
Expressing deep sorrow over the untimely demise of the veteran leader, Prime Minister Modi said it was “unimaginable” to come to terms with the loss of someone he had worked alongside for decades. "It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. I’ve known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times," the Prime Minister wrote on social media platform X.
Highlighting Rupani’s longstanding dedication to public service and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), PM Modi further added, “Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the Party’s ideology. Rising up the ranks, he held various responsibilities in the organisation and went on to serve diligently as Gujarat’s Chief Minister.”
In a series of tributes, the Prime Minister recalled Rupani’s leadership roles—from the Rajkot Municipal Corporation to serving as a Rajya Sabha MP, state BJP President, and Cabinet Minister. "In every role assigned, he distinguished himself," Modi noted.
Recalling their collaboration during Rupani’s tenure as Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021, PM Modi credited him with implementing measures that significantly contributed to Gujarat’s growth trajectory, especially in areas related to public welfare and the 'Ease of Living' initiative. “Will always cherish the interactions we had. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this hour of grief. Om Shanti,” he wrote.
A Tragic Loss in Indian Political History
The death of Vijay Rupani marks a somber moment in Indian political history, as he becomes the second former Chief Minister of Gujarat to die in an aviation accident—60 years after Balwantrai Mehta perished in a similar tragedy in 1965.
India was left reeling on Thursday after Air India Flight AI171, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plummeted into the residential mess facility of the BJ Medical College hostel in the Meghaninagar area at approximately 1:30 PM IST, erupting into flames and causing further casualties on the ground.
Officials confirmed that 241 individuals on board—232 passengers and 9 crew members—lost their lives. Additionally, at least two dozen people on the ground, including medical students and staff, were reported dead due to the impact.
Lone Survivor and Preliminary Investigation
The lone survivor of the crash has been identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, who was travelling with his brother Ajay Kumar Rakesh, seated elsewhere on the aircraft.
Initial reports indicate that the aircraft lost altitude rapidly soon after takeoff. A distress MAYDAY call was received by air traffic control, but the aircraft lost contact shortly thereafter. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had logged over 8,200 flight hours, alongside First Officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 hours of flying experience.
Investigators are considering multiple potential causes, including double-engine failure, bird strike, and fuel contamination. Both the black boxes—flight data and cockpit voice recorders—have been recovered and are under examination.
International and Domestic Reactions
World leaders and aviation authorities have expressed condolences over the crash. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer extended his sympathies to the victims, including the 53 British nationals on board. Indian President Droupadi Murmu and other senior leaders also conveyed their condolences.
Air India has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹1 crore to the families of each deceased, with additional compensation under the Montreal Convention. Special relief flights have been arranged to assist the bereaved families.
As the nation mourns, the tragic death of Vijay Rupani adds a deeply personal loss to Gujarat’s political landscape and underscores the far-reaching impact of one of India’s most devastating aviation disasters in recent memory.
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