BJP’s Vijay Rupani, a former Chief Minister of Gujarat, was among passengers killed in the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed shortly after take-off from the Ahmedabad airport.
The plane was headed to Gatwick airport in the UK, Air India said, when it crashed in a civilian area near the airport.
“The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals,” Air India posted on X.
According to the seat chart, Vijay Rupani, 68, was on seat 2D of the Air India flight. He was on his way to London to meet his daughter.
Merely two minutes into the ascent, at around 1.40 p.m., the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into a medical college hostel building in the Meghani Nagar area, sparking a massive fire and widespread panic in the locality.
Rescue personnel reported that the black box of the aircraft has been recovered and will be crucial in determining the exact cause of the crash.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is one of the most advanced jets in service and experts say it has a generally strong safety record, with no previous fatal accidents.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the tragedy is “heartbreaking beyond words”.
“The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words,” PM Modi posted on X.
“In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected,” the Prime Minister added.
Previous Air Disasters
In August 2020, at least 18 people died and 16 were severely injured when an Air India Express Boeing 737 plane skidded off the runway in Kozhikode during heavy rain, plunged into a valley and crashed nose-first into the ground.
In May 2010, an Air India Boeing 737 flight from Dubai overshot the runway at the airport in Mangaluru and crashed into a ravine, killing 158 people on board.
(Helpline numbers: 011-24610843 | 9650391859 | 1800 5691 444 (Air India)