Air India Crash: Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, 52 British nationals among passengers on board AI171
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on June 12, 2025, 15:23 IST
A tragic new layer has emerged in the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash that occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, 2025. According to passenger manifest reports, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those on board the ill-fated flight AI171, which was en route to London Gatwick.
TV9 Gujarati first reported Rupani's name appearing in the official passenger list, raising grave concerns about his safety. However, no official confirmation has been issued yet regarding his status.
In another critical development, sources have confirmed that 52 British nationals were also on board the aircraft. The flight was carrying 242 individuals in total, including two pilots and ten cabin crew members. The aircraft gave a MAYDAY signal shortly after takeoff at 1:39 PM IST before crashing outside the airport perimeter in the Meghani Nagar locality.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran pilot with over 8,200 flying hours, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of experience.
The crash has prompted an immediate suspension of operations at Ahmedabad Airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to rush to the site and coordinate emergency responses.
With black smoke engulfing the crash site and rescue operations ongoing, authorities are yet to confirm the total number of survivors. The passenger list, now circulating in media circles, is under official verification.
Further updates are expected from Air India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation as investigations continue.
Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
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