A tragic incident unfolded today when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport shortly after takeoff at approximately 1:38 PM IST. The flight, en route to London Gatwick, carried 242 passengers and crew members, including, according to multiple reports, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Sources confirmed Rupani’s presence on the flight, with various documents listing him as passenger number 12, along with a copy of his boarding pass. However, official confirmation from authorities regarding Rupani’s status remains pending as rescue operations continue at the crash site in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar area.

The crash, which occurred minutes after takeoff, sent shockwaves through the region, with eyewitnesses reporting thick black smoke and flames rising from the wreckage. Emergency response teams, including fire brigades and ambulances, were swiftly deployed to the scene. A green corridor was established to facilitate the transport of injured passengers to nearby hospitals, but details on casualties or survivors, including Rupani, remain unclear at this time.

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The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and investigations are expected to follow as authorities work to ascertain the circumstances leading to the tragedy. Air India and local officials have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident or the passenger manifest.

As rescue efforts continue, the nation awaits further updates on the condition of those on board, including the former Gujarat CM, whose political tenure and public service have made him a prominent figure in Indian politics. The thoughts of many are with the victims and their families during this devastating time.