KKN Gurugram Desk | In one of the most disastrous aviation incidents in recent memory, Air India Flight AI‑171, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed just seconds after take-off on Thursday. The tragic accident has claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, 68, who was travelling to London to meet his daughter.
This aviation tragedy has shocked the nation, prompting urgent safety investigations while family and political circles mourn a veteran leader taken too soon.
Flight AI‑171 departed from Ahmedabad Airport at 1:39 PM on June 12, 2025. Eyewitnesses report that only seconds after take-off, the aircraft pitched, came down sharply, and impacted structures in Meghani Nagar – first the mess building of BJ Medical College, then the Atulyam Hostel.
The aircraft burst into flames on impact, with billowing smoke and scattered wreckage. First responders arrived swiftly, but the intense blaze left little room for rescue. Only one survivor has been confirmed, while 241 people aboard were killed.
Among those killed was Vijay Rupani, who served as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021. Rupani, 68, had taken flight to London to meet his daughter. His death has shocked political circles and triggered an outpouring of grief across the state.
Assumed CM post in 2016, after Anandiben Patel stepped down
Navigated the BJP through key elections during the Patidar agitation
Retained power in the 2017 Assembly elections with 99 of 182 seats
Known for policies on land reforms, Arogya initiatives, and solar plan execution
Oversaw critical infrastructure work, including the Rajkot AIIMS and Heerasar airport project
Resigned in 2022 amid criticism over the handling of the COVID‑19 pandemic and internal party disagreements
Rupani’s demise marks a sudden end to an era, and the gap he leaves behind in Gujarat politics is deeply felt.
Rupani’s tenure saw multiple social welfare programs and infrastructure projects:
He implemented land reforms and accelerated the Saurashtra solar power scheme
Initiated projects like the Rajkot AIIMS and six-lane Rajkot–Ahmedabad highway
Directed pipelines to supply Narmada water to Rajkot
However, his leadership wasn’t free from controversy. Disputes over ventilator procurement during the pandemic, land dealings near Heerasar, and the government’s response to public criticism contributed to his political demise in 2022.
Despite these challenges, many remember him as a leader deeply connected to grassroots politics, known for kindness, humility, and unwavering dedication.
The assassination of Rupani in this disaster reverberates beyond personal loss:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to assess the crisis and meet with the sole survivor and rescue teams.
Political leaders across the spectrum extended condolences—describing Rupani as a leader of vision and determination.
BJP’s Gujarat unit is now confronted with an urgent need to reconstruct leadership ahead of future elections.
Calls for enhanced air safety audits have intensified. The investigation into Flight AI‑171 will involve agencies like India’s DGCA, Air India, aviation safety experts, and global investigators.
Beyond the death of Senior political figures, the crash casts a long shadow:
Aviation families and policymakers have demanded immediate clarity on crash causes and pilot protocols.
Safety measures – particularly during take-off and landing – are now under scrutiny.
The lone survivor is considered critical to the inquiry, with authorities working to preserve all possible technical and eyewitness data.
Within hours of impact:
Emergency teams mobilized, extinguishing a fierce blaze.
Air India confirmed the death toll on X (Twitter) and activated emergency helplines for affected families.
Authorities imposed restrictions on flights, initiated site investigations, and appealed for calm and cooperation from the public.
A central probe was launched to assess technical, human, and procedural factors involved in the crash.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will lead in gathering aircraft data and the black box recovery.
The DGCA will examine compliance, pilot credentials, and operational standards.
Experts are probing weather conditions, maintenance logs, and possible mechanical or configuration errors.
Families of victims—including Rupani’s—have demanded transparency and accountability, and are expected to meet with officials soon.
The crash has sparked criticism of India’s aviation safety regulations. In response:
Calls for review of airport emergency response protocols, fire readiness, and pilot training modules.
Renewed pressure for greater scrutiny of Air India’s fleet and renewed oversight.
Safety experts say that such tragedies expose systemic weaknesses in post-pandemic aviation infrastructure.
Rupani’s political life began in the ABVP student movement, followed by roles as Rajkot Mayor and Rajya Sabha MP. He navigated administrative leadership through education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
A man of the masses, Rupani was known for hosting the community—especially during festivals like Uttarayan—and was seen as warm, humble, and accessible.
His death leaves not just a political seat vacant but also the memory of a man beloved by many. His promise to Gujarat’s future, now remains unfulfilled.
The Ahmedabad plane crash is more than a headline; it is a national tragedy that has taken a prominent public servant alongside many others in an instant.
As the investigation into AI‑171 unfolds, and as political leadership in Gujarat is reassessed, air safety and political legacy both come sharply into focus.
KKNLive.com will continue to provide you with verified updates on:
The Flight AI‑171 crash investigation
Official causes and aviation safety recommendations
Political succession in Gujarat
Family obituaries and tributes to Vijay Rupani & other victims
Stay with us for comprehensive coverage and live updates on this evolving story.
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