Gujarat announces one-day state mourning tomorrow for Vijay Rupani who died in Air India plane crash
Air India plane crash: Gujarat has announced one-day state mourning tomorrow, June 16 for ex-Chief Minister Vijay Rupani who died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash.
On Thursday, June 12, Ahmedabad skies were filled with plumes of smoke after an Air India flight — a Boeing 787 — crashed into BJ Medical College Hostel's mess, shortly after takeoff.
The flight enroute to London's Gatwick airport, had 242 people on board – including Gujarat ex-CM Vijay Rupani, who was killed after the deadly crash. Only one passenger, seated at 11A during the time of the crash, miraculously survived.
(This is a developing story. Keep checking for more updates)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
23 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Air India plane crash: Teams in UK, Ahmedabad working around the clock, says High Commissioner Cameron
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 15 (ANI): UK High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, shared updates on support being provided to the affected families and friends of British nationals after the tragic Air India Plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12. Sharing a video message on X, Envoy Cameron wrote, 'Our consular team and local partners are on the ground in Ahmedabad, offering care and support to affected families and friends of British nationals following the tragic plane crash. High Commissioner@Lindy_Cameronvisited the UK Consular Reception Centre today.' 'This has been an incredibly difficult time and our thoughts are with everybody affected by this devastating incident. Teams in the UK and here in Ahmedabad are working around the clock to ensure that we're able to support British nationals, friends and families affected. The investigation is ongoing and the UK and India are working closely together to establish the facts,' Cameron said. She informed that a team of expert UK air accident investigators has arrived in India and is supporting the Indian-led investigation here on the ground. 'Please continue to check our travel advice for the latest updates. And once again I just want to say thank you to the authorities here in Ahmedabad and to so many people in this city who have come forward to help. That's what I said to Prime Minister Modi when I met him earlier in the week', she said. 'Our consular team and local partners are on the ground in Ahmedabad, offering care and support to affected families and friends of British nationals following the tragic plane crash. High Commissioner @Lindy_Cameron visited the UK Consular Reception Centre today', the post on X noted. In another post on X, the British High Commission said, 'British nationals who require assistance, or have concerns for family or friends call: +91 (11) 2419 2100 (in India), +44 (0) 207 008 5000 (in the UK)' Following the AI-171 plane crash in Ahmedabad, the State Government has initiated intensive rescue and relief operations with immediate effect. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, a dedicated government apparatus was activated within minutes to ensure swift and coordinated response efforts, said a statement from the CMO. Twelve teams are engaged in DNA sampling operations in shifts to carry out DNA matching procedures. In parallel, counselling support is being provided to the affected families. The Health Department has also deployed over 855 health personnel, including 100 healthcare workers at the trauma center, to support medical relief operations. This includes both regular Civil Hospital staff and supplementary manpower deployed specifically for this emergency response. As of now, a total of 250 blood samples have been collected from the relatives of passengers and local residents affected by the incident. Among these, 62 DNA matches have been established. Of the matched cases, 27 mortal remains have been handed over to the respective families. Additionally, 8 mortal remains, identified without the need for DNA testing, were handed over to the families day before yesterday. In total, 35 mortal remains have been handed over thus far. Only the samples of relatives of 3 passengers remain pending. These relatives are currently residing in the U.K. and are expected to arrive in the next 2-3 days to provide their samples. To coordinate the handover process of mortal remains and maintain continuous communication with the families of the deceased passengers, the district administration has appointed over 250 Nodal and Assistant Nodal Officers. Supervisory officers have also been designated to ensure that all procedures are conducted smoothly and in an organised manner. A dedicated team from Air India is present at the Civil Hospital around the clock. As more family members of the crash victims arrive, arrangements for air travel are being provided free of cost based on their individual needs. Earlier in the day, Air India expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of 241 passengers and crew members in the crash of Flight AI 171, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the families and loved ones of those affected, an official statement said. On Thursday, June 12, the Air India flight was en route to London from Ahmedabad when it crashed shortly after taking off from the airport and rammed into a doctors' hostel of BJ Medical College in Gujarat's Ahmedabad. Air India confirmed that it has successfully established contact with the next of kin of all passengers and crew. Over 400 family members have already arrived in Ahmedabad and are being supported by dedicated teams on the ground. 'Air India remains in mourning on the tragic loss of 241 passengers and crew members aboard flight AI171. Our hearts are with the families, loved ones, and communities affected by the accident,' the statement said. 'We have established contact with the next of kin/relatives of all passengers and crew members, expressing our condolences and helping them with the next steps. Over 400 family members have reached Ahmedabad and are being assisted by our teams on the ground,' it added. 'Every affected family in Ahmedabad has been assigned at least one caregiver by Air India. Air India is working closely with other Tata group companies to provide every possible assistance to the families and loved ones of those deceased, which remains our number one priority,' the airline said. (ANI)
India Gazette
23 minutes ago
- India Gazette
PM's Principal Secretary reviews AI-171 crash response, praises state-Centre coordination
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 15 (ANI): Dr PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, reviewed the emergency response following the crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, during a meeting with senior Gujarat government officials on Sunday. Mishra held discussions with Gujarat DGP Vikas Sahay, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik, and other senior officials. He commended the swift and coordinated efforts of both state and central agencies in managing the crisis. Speaking to ANI after visiting the crash site, Mishra said, 'I visited the crash site, the hostel, the hospital and the FSL... I also held a review meeting. The state agencies, the Government of India agencies and others have responded very timely and effectively. I met some of the relatives of those who, unfortunately, died and were injured. So they are all satisfied with the work done by the state government and other public agencies, the Government of India.' He added, 'It is unfortunate that such an incident took place... I complement the team that has responded so effectively and we hope that we will learn more lessons for the future and things like this may not happen again.' The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London, crashed into the hostel complex shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 241 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Meanwhile, Civil Hospital Ahmedabad has made significant progress in identifying victims of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash. Additional Medical Superintendent Dr Rajnish Patel confirmed that 47 DNA samples have been matched, with 44 families contacted and 24 bodies handed over to relatives. Dr Patel stated, '47 DNA have matched so far. Out of those 47, families of 44 have been contacted. So far, mortal remains of 24 deceased have been handed over to their families...' The hospital's streamlined process, involving DNA verification at Kaushoti Bhavan in D Block, postmortem procedures, and family support, has ensured accuracy and dignity in handling the crisis. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed and rammed into a doctor's hostel shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12. The crash claimed 241 lives out of the 242 people onboard, which included 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The lone survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, is currently undergoing treatment for his injuries. At least 33 people, including local residents on the ground and MBBS students, have also died till today as the plane rammed into the doctor's hostel after the crash. (ANI)
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Delhi Confidential: Low-key birthday
PREPARATIONS WITHIN the Congress have begun for Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's 55th birthday on June 19. The party wants to keep the celebrations low-key this year in the wake of the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Sources said the Congress's frontal organisation — Indian Youth Congress (IYC) — is planning several programmes across the country, including seminars on the caste census, a matter considered close to Gandhi's heart. Other programmes include a job fair at Delhi's Talkatora Stadium and in some other cities, blood donation camps, free medical check-up camps across India, among other events. African Trail In its efforts to advance talks on importing more cheetahs, a delegation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority went to South Africa last week. South Africa was one the source countries for the cheetahs translocated to Kuno in Madhya Pradesh at the start of Project Cheetah. The delegation met wildlife officials and held discussions on importing a new batch of cheetahs for the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. Botswana has already agreed to give eight cheetahs to India. Lutyens' Address A year after being elected to the 18th Lok Sabha, several MPs have finally moved into their official bungalows in the Capital. Some of them are planning to host guests and acquaintances at their new address in Lutyens' Delhi. One MP has called an informal meeting with journalists where he will also give them a tour of the bungalow. Another one has invited her relatives from Uttar Pradesh for a tea party at the bungalow. While the bungalows were allotted soon after the Lok Sabha election results in June last year, renovation work and delay in previous residents vacating the premises resulted in the new MPs moving in after more than a year. Meet Rescheduled A press conference of Union Science Minister Jitendra Singh scheduled for Friday was cancelled a night before following the Ahmedabad plane crash. The conference, which was rescheduled for Sunday, started with a two-minute silence in memory of the victims.
