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Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s remains have been identified among the victims of the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash that claimed 274 lives earlier this week. His body was identified through DNA testing, and his final rites will be held today in Rajkot, his hometown, with full state honors.
The crash happened on June 12, just minutes after the flight took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, bound for London. Tragically, the plane never made it out of the city. It lost altitude and crashed into the Meghaninagar neighborhood — a densely populated area filled with hostels and residential buildings.
The explosion and fire that followed were devastating. All 241 people onboard, including passengers and crew, lost their lives. At least 33 people on the ground also died as the aircraft tore through homes and buildings. The disaster left not only wreckage, but grief and shock in its wake.
DNA Testing Critical in Victim Identification
Due to the severity of the crash and the fire, identifying victims has been a difficult task. Many bodies were severely burned, making visual identification impossible. For this reason, officials have been relying on DNA testing to confirm the identities of the deceased.
Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel announced that DNA matches have been confirmed for 45 victims so far — including Vijay Rupani. His body was formally identified at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where DNA samples from relatives were used in the matching process.
State Honors and Mourning
In honor of Vijay Rupani’s service to the state, the Gujarat government observed a day of mourning today, June 16. The national flag flew at half-mast, and all public events and celebrations were cancelled.
Rupani served as Gujarat’s Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021 and was a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to officials, he was on his way to the UK for a personal visit when the accident occurred.
His loss has triggered an outpouring of grief from across the political spectrum. Leaders and citizens alike have remembered him as a grounded, accessible leader who served the state with dedication.
What Caused the Crash?
Investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are still trying to determine what caused the crash. The aircraft’s black boxes — the Cockpit Voice Recorder and the Flight Data Recorder — have both been recovered from the wreckage and are currently being analyzed.
Though it’s still early, preliminary reports suggest that the plane might have experienced a sudden technical failure shortly after takeoff — possibly related to engine or control systems. Officials have urged the public to wait for full findings before drawing conclusions.
Support for Grieving Families
In the meantime, the Gujarat government and central agencies are working tirelessly to support affected families. At Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, help desks have been set up by insurance companies, including LIC, HDFC Life, and New India Assurance, to help families with claims and documents.
Over 850 medical professionals, including trauma counselors, have been mobilized to assist survivors and relatives. DNA sample collection is ongoing, with more than 250 samples already gathered from relatives to aid in identifying the remaining victims.
For families traveling from other states and abroad, the government is providing free air travel, accommodation, and local transportation. Over 250 officers have been assigned to assist every family, from identification to funeral arrangements.
