A major tragedy unfolded near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport when Air India flight AI171 to London Gatwick crashed moments after takeoff. The accident occurred near the Shahibaug area, adjacent to Gujarat’s largest civil hospital. A multi-storey building close to the hospital was engulfed in flames as the aircraft, believed to have suffered an internal malfunction, lost control shortly after becoming airborne. Crucially, it has now been confirmed that former Gujarat former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was onboard the ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner. His family has verified the news, sharing his boarding pass which indicates seat 2D in business class. Authorities are yet to officially release details of casualties, but the situation appears grim given the magnitude of the explosion caused by the fully fueled international flight. Eyewitnesses reported a massive fireball and thick black smoke that followed the crash. The area has been cordoned off, with NDRF teams and emergency responders working amid extreme conditions. The impact on nearby hospital structures is also under assessment. As the nation waits for clarity, the incident has sent shockwaves across the country, raising serious concerns about aviation safety and the fate of the 242 passengers onboard.
