The Gujarat government has declared a one-day state mourning on June 16 following the death of former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. His final rites will be conducted in Rajkot.
The incident took place on June 12 when an Air India Boeing 787 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. The flight, heading to London’s Gatwick Airport, struck the BJ Medical College Hostel’s mess area in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, sending thick smoke into the sky.
Onboard were 242 passengers, including ex-CM Vijay Rupani. Sadly, 241 people, including all crew members and the pilot, lost their lives. Only one passenger, seated in 11A, survived the crash.
Gujarat to Observe 1-Day Mourning for Former CM Vijay Rupani
The Gujarat government has announced a one-day state mourning on Monday to honor former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who died in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad three days ago. His funeral will take place in Rajkot the same day.
According to an official order issued on Sunday, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings where it is normally displayed. Additionally, no official entertainment or celebrations will be held during the mourning period.
Earlier on Sunday, Vijay Rupani’s body was identified through DNA testing. His remains were then handed over to his family for the final rites.
Also Read: Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Dies in Tragic Air India Plane Crash
DNA Testing Underway to Identify Victims of Air India Crash
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi confirmed that DNA testing has identified 86 victims of the deadly Air India crash in Ahmedabad. He added that the identification process is still ongoing, as many bodies were severely burnt or damaged, making visual recognition impossible.
Authorities are relying on DNA testing to confirm the identities of the deceased. To support this massive effort, around 230 teams have been deployed to coordinate with the families of the victims.
The tragedy occurred on Thursday afternoon when Air India Flight 171, en route to London, crashed into the resident doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. So far, 270 people have been confirmed dead in the crash.
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Air India Crash
The ill-fated Air India Flight 171 was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and 2 pilots, when it crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad. The flight was bound for Gatwick Airport in London. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the passengers, traveling in business class to visit his daughter in the UK.
Tragically, 241 people on board lost their lives in the crash. In addition, 29 people on the ground were also killed, bringing the total death toll to 270. Remarkably, one Indian-origin British passenger seated in 11A survived and is currently hospitalized with injuries.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) recovered the plane’s black box 28 hours after the crash. Found near the aircraft’s tail, the bright orange device will play a crucial role in uncovering the cause of the disaster.
Air India Issues Statement on Ahmedabad Crash
Air India has released an official statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss of 241 lives onboard Flight AI171, which crashed in Ahmedabad. The airline confirmed that it is in close contact with the relatives of all passengers and crew members, offering condolences and guiding them through the necessary steps.
According to the statement, over 400 family members have reached Ahmedabad, where dedicated Air India teams are assisting them. Each affected family has been assigned a caregiver to ensure personalized support.
Air India added that it is working with other Tata Group companies to provide all possible assistance to the victims’ families. Helping those affected remains the airline’s top priority.
The airline also stated that it is coordinating with authorities to facilitate the identification and handover of remains. Support is being extended for transporting the remains out of Gujarat and arranging international repatriation where required.
Assistance centres have been set up at Ahmedabad and Mumbai airports to help families seeking updates and information related to the tragedy.
