Moments after takeoff, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed, claiming 241 lives, including 68-year-old Vijay Rupani, with only one survivor.
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| Credit _Pragativadi |
New Delhi: In a heart-wrenching development, the identity of Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, was conclusively established through DNA testing on Sunday, June 15, at 11:10 am, three days following the catastrophic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad. Arrangements have been made to transport Mr. Rupani’s body from Ahmedabad to his hometown of Rajkot via a specially chartered flight, offering a somber closure for his grieving family and supporters.
The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI171, met with disaster on June 12, mere moments after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, plummeted to the ground just 32 seconds after becoming airborne at 13:38 IST, as captured by chilling airport CCTV footage. The crash claimed the lives of 241 individuals, including 68-year-old Vijay Rupani, who was traveling in business class seat 2D. Miraculously, one passenger survived the ordeal, though details of their condition remain scarce.
The aircraft’s descent was catastrophic, colliding with a hostel building within the sprawling campus of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar area, less than a kilometer from the runway’s end. The impact unleashed a devastating fireball that engulfed the structure, causing severe damage and claiming additional lives on the ground, including several promising MBBS students residing in the hostel. The scale of the tragedy has left the nation in mourning, with the site now a grim reminder of the disaster’s toll.
As of Sunday, authorities have identified 32 of the victims through meticulous forensic efforts, with 14 bodies respectfully handed over to their families for final rites. The process of identification and repatriation continues amid an outpouring of grief and solidarity.
Mr. Rupani’s journey to this tragic end was marked by a series of rescheduled plans. Initially, he had booked a flight to London for May 19 to reunite with his wife and daughter but canceled it for reasons undisclosed. A subsequent booking for June 5 was also canceled before he finally secured a seat on the doomed June 12 flight, AI171. His decision to travel on that date sealed his fate in what has become one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.
Investigations into the crash are underway with urgency and precision. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), alongside the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and a specialized forensic team from Boeing, is analyzing critical data retrieved from the aircraft’s black box, including flight data and cockpit voice recordings. These efforts aim to uncover the cause of the rapid loss of altitude that led to the catastrophic crash, with preliminary findings expected to shed light on whether mechanical failure, human error, or external factors played a role.
The nation mourns the loss of lives, with Vijay Rupani’s passing casting a particularly heavy shadow over Gujarat, where he served as Chief Minister, leaving behind a legacy of public service. As investigations continue and families begin the painful process of laying their loved ones to rest, the tragedy of flight AI171 remains a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictability of fate.
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