Air India plane crash: Ex-Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani among 169 Indians, 53 Britishers onboard

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was reportedly among the 242 passengers who were onboard the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad city of Gujarat on Thursday, June 12. Air India has confirmed that there were as many as 169 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian among the passengers.

While there have been no reports on the number of casualties in the Air India plane crash, many are feared to be dead. A full list of passengers who were on board the Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London has surfaced which shows Vijay Rupani was among the passengers who was travelling to London.

A Boeing Co. 787 aircraft operated by Air India that was bound for London crashed shortly after taking off in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in what stands to be the worst accident involving the US plane maker’s most advanced widebody airliner.

The incident happened around 1:30 pm, shortly after the Air India plane took off. It crashed just outside the Ahmedabad airport. While cause of the Air India plane crash is not known yet, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement that the pilot has made a ‘MAYDAY’ call.

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“As per ATC, aircraft departed from Ahmadabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. Aircraft Immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on ground outside the airport perimeter.”

The video of the plane crash shows thick black smoke billowing out of the Air India plane crash site.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), Ahmedabad, is currently not operational. All flight operations are temporarily suspended until further notice.

In his first statement, PM Narendra Modi The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. 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.