Air India Plane Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad: Former CM Vijay Rupani Among 241 Dead
Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 – A tragic air disaster has shaken the nation as an Air India flight departing from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the death of 241 people, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The aircraft, which went down in the Mehmani Nagar area, collided with a nearby government medical college hostel, causing further casualties and destruction.
The Flight and the Tragedy
The ill-fated Air India flight AI-147 took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM. The aircraft was bound for London Heathrow and carried 242 individuals — including 2 pilots, 10 crew members, and 230 passengers.
Within just two minutes of takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed in the densely populated Mehmani Nagar locality. The crash triggered an explosion and massive fire that engulfed the aircraft and nearby buildings. Eyewitnesses reported a deafening sound and thick smoke filling the skies.
Casualties and National Mourning
Out of the 242 onboard, 241 people were confirmed dead at the scene. The passengers included:
- 169 Indian nationals
- 53 British citizens
- 7 Portuguese nationals
- 1 Canadian citizen
Among the deceased was prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose sudden demise has sent shockwaves across the political landscape.
Medical Students Among the Victims
Adding to the tragedy, the aircraft crashed into a section of the hostel of the nearby Ahmedabad Government Medical College. Ten medical students who were resting inside the hostel died on the spot. Another 50 students sustained injuries, of whom 25 are currently in critical condition and undergoing treatment in the ICU.
Possible Causes of the Crash
Initial reports suggest the aircraft reached takeoff speed correctly but failed to gain sufficient altitude. Aviation experts are considering the following possible causes:
- Bird strike
- Engine malfunction
- Landing gear failure
- Control system error
The aircraft’s Black Box has been recovered and sent to the Aviation Safety Investigation Bureau (ASIB) for analysis. Officials say the actual cause of the crash will be known within 15 days once flight data and cockpit voice recordings are analyzed.
Only One Miraculous Survivor
In an unbelievable stroke of luck, 40-year-old Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a passenger seated near the tail section, survived the crash with only minor injuries. His brother, Ajay Kumar, who was traveling with him, tragically died in the crash. Vishwas is currently undergoing treatment and is said to be stable.
Response and On-Ground Efforts
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the crash site personally to assess the situation and oversee rescue and recovery efforts. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local firefighters, and military medical teams were deployed immediately to manage the emergency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed about the situation and expressed his condolences. He directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation to initiate a high-level probe into the incident.
National and International Condolences
India is in deep mourning. Tributes and condolences poured in from across the political and global spectrum:
- President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
- Chief Justice of India and state Governors issued formal condolence notes.
- Global leaders from the UK, the US, Russia, and Portugal extended their sympathies and offered support.
Public prayer meetings are being held across Gujarat, and flags are being flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the deceased.
Emergency Helplines and Government Support
The Gujarat government has activated control room numbers for families to seek information about victims and survivors:
📞 9978405304, 079 23251900
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced:
- ₹25 lakh compensation for families of the deceased
- Free medical care for the injured
- Special government jobs for family members of deceased students
A Nation in Grief
This incident marks one of the worst aviation disasters in Indian history. The last time India experienced a similar tragedy was in 2020, during the Kozhikode Air India Express crash which killed 21 people.
The death of a senior political leader like Vijay Rupani, along with hundreds of civilians and students, has plunged Gujarat — and the entire nation — into mourning.
Safety concerns in India’s aviation industry are once again under scrutiny. Opposition leaders have called for a full audit of Air India’s fleet and a re-examination of emergency response preparedness at major airports.
A Wake-Up Call for Aviation Safety
Aviation analysts state that while Indian air travel has grown rapidly in recent years, maintenance, pilot training, and real-time flight monitoring must evolve to meet international safety standards.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to submit a preliminary report within the week. Investigators from Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority are also collaborating in the investigation due to the presence of UK nationals onboard.
