Ahmedabad: A chilling image has gone viral on social media, reportedly showing former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani seated inside Air India Flight AI171, moments before it tragically crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The photo, captured by a female co-passenger, has intensified speculation over Rupani’s presence on the ill-fated flight, though no official confirmation has been issued yet.
According to reports, Air India’s London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers, crashed minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, slamming into the hostel premises of BJ Medical College in Meghaninagar. A massive plume of smoke and scenes of chaos followed, as dozens of medical students were feared killed or severely injured.
Last Pic of Vijay Rupani !! 🙏💔#planecrash #Ahmedabad #ahmedabadplanecrash #AirIndia pic.twitter.com/N3qfAWc0RH
— Harshit Singh (@harshitsingh_x) June 12, 2025
In a statement to the media, senior BJP leader Bhupendrasinh Chudasama revealed that he rushed to Rupani’s residence in Gandhinagar after watching news of the crash. “I was having lunch after a program at Gujarat Vidyapeeth when I saw the crash on TV. I knew Vijaybhai was scheduled to fly to London today. I immediately rushed to his house and now I’m heading to the airport for more clarity,” he said.
As rescue operations continue, video footage from eyewitnesses has flooded social media, showing the burning wreckage and rising smoke near the crash site.
There are unconfirmed claims that over 100 people may have lost their lives, including several MBBS students living in the impacted hostel. The Air India AI171 crash is being called one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history. The government and DGCA have launched an investigation while efforts are ongoing to identify victims and provide aid to survivors.
