Ahmedabad AI171 Crash: Vijay Rupani’s Mortal Remains Identified

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has been confirmed dead in the tragic Air India Flight AI 171 crash that occurred on June 12 in Ahmedabad. His body was identified through DNA testing, officials announced on Sunday. Rupani was among the 241 people who lost their lives when the Air India Boeing 7878 Dreamliner crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi stated, "Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani lost his life during the Air India crash in Ahmedabad on 12th June. Today, at around 11:10 AM, his DNA has matched. He worked for the people of the state for several years."

Union Jal Shakti Minister and Gujarat BJP president CR Paatil also confirmed the death, calling it a deep loss to the BJP and the state. "This is a very sad incident. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. We have lost two time Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in the crash, which is deeply saddening for the BJP family," Paatil said.

Rupani, 68, served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from August 2016 to September 2021. He was known for his calm leadership style and guided the state through several key phases, including the post COVID economic recovery. Widely respected across the political spectrum, his passing leaves a notable void in Gujarat's political landscape.

Air India Flight AI 171, a scheduled service from Ahmedabad to London, was carrying 242 people on board - 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. The aircraft included two pilots and ten cabin crew members. Tragically, the crash claimed the lives of all passengers except one, and several people on the ground were also killed.

Rupani's body, like many others recovered from the site, was severely burned and mutilated due to the impact and fire. As visual identification was not possible in most cases, authorities turned to DNA testing to confirm the identities of victims. Officials stated that the matching process typically takes up to 72 hours. Only after positive DNA identification are remains released to families for final rites.

Rupani's sudden death in the crash has deeply impacted Gujarat's political fraternity and is being mourned across party lines. His legacy as a leader who prioritized administrative stability and people centric governance will be remembered for years to come.