A major aviation tragedy is unfolding in Ahmedabad as local channel TV9 Gujarati reported that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani may have been on board the Air India flight AI171, which reportedly crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.
While no official confirmation has come from authorities regarding Rupani’s presence, TV9 flashed the alert around 2:27 PM, citing sources that the former CM might have been a passenger.
The aircraft in question, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration number VT-ANB), was scheduled to operate the Ahmedabad–London (Gatwick) route. Flight data indicated that the plane was to depart at 13:10 IST with a revised estimate of 13:38 IST. However, its departure status remained “estimated” at the time of the crash.
According to initial reports from the State Police Control Room cited by ANI, the aircraft had 242 passengers on board when it reportedly went down near the Meghani Nagar area, just meters from the airport perimeter. Thick smoke and large flames were visible from the crash site, with visuals showing fire brigades and ambulances rushing in for rescue operations.
There is still no confirmation on whether the plane had successfully taken off or crashed during a failed takeoff attempt. Rescue and firefighting operations are ongoing, and authorities have not released information on the number of casualties or survivors.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air India, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have not yet issued any official statements.
This is a developing story. More updates to follow as information
