Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Among Dead in Air India Crash, Confirms Civil Aviation Minister

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, while visiting the site of the Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad (Gujarat)on Thursday, confirmed that former Gujarat Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Rupani was among those who lost their lives in the tragic crash. The minister expressed deep sorrow and shock over Rupani’s death and the loss of other lives, including foreign nationals.

“Very sad to know that Vijay Rupani was also there, as were other nationals,” the minister said, “I am totally shaken by the tragic and horrific incident. I am still in a state of shock.”

The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route to London (Gatwick) and crashed minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, carrying 242 people including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, 7 Portuguese and 1 Canadian national.

He further stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also heading to the crash site to assess the situation. “We are extending all help. I don’t want to say anything about the numbers yet, but we are committed to getting to the depths of why this incident happened,” he said.

He assured that a fair and thorough investigation would be carried out to determine the cause of the crash that claimed multiple lives. Rescue operations are underway, and central agencies have been deployed to assist on the ground.