AI-171 crash anniversary: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel pays tribute to Vijay Rupani
Synopsis
A year after Air India Flight AI-171 killed 241 people — including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani — the state's current CM Bhupendra Patel and BJP leaders gathered in remembrance. The crash, which destroyed part of B.J. Medical College's hostel and left only one survivor, remains under active AAIB investigation with no final cause yet determined.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel paid tribute to former CM Vijay Rupani on 12 June 2025 , the first anniversary of his death.
Rupani died in the Air India Flight AI-171 crash that killed 241 of 242 people on board and 19 on the ground.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the B.J.
Medical College hostel complex in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad .
The sole survivor was British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh , seated at 11A .
The AAIB investigation is ongoing; preliminary findings point to technical and operational factors but no final report has been released.
The damaged hostel complex has been earmarked for reconstruction as part of state government redevelopment plans.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday, 12 June paid tribute to former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on the first anniversary of his death, honouring his leadership, public service, and contributions to the state's development. Political leaders across Gujarat marked the occasion with messages of remembrance, a year after Rupani perished in the Air India Flight AI-171 disaster.
What Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Said
In a post on social media platform X, Patel offered his 'heartfelt tribute' to the former chief minister. 'Late Vijaybhai's gentle, sensitive and simple personality, his contribution through transparent and decisive leadership in Gujarat's development journey, as well as his work as the state president of the Gujarat BJP, will always remain memorable,' Patel wrote.
BJP Leaders Remember Rupani
Bharatiya Janata Party state president Jagdish Vishwakarma also paid tribute, describing Rupani as a senior leader and former state BJP president. 'His contribution in strengthening the organisation and taking Gujarat's development to new heights is unforgettable. His simplicity and public welfare works will always continue to guide us,' Vishwakarma wrote. Rupani had served as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021.
The AI-171 Crash: What Happened
Rupani was among 241 of the 242 people on board who died when the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on 12 June 2024. The aircraft struck the hostel complex of B.J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area, also killing 19 people on the ground, according to official reports. The crash ranks among India's deadliest aviation disasters in recent years.
The sole survivor was a British national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who escaped from seat 11A. Due to severe burns and impact damage, authorities confirmed that DNA testing was required to identify many victims — including Rupani himself, who was later identified through DNA analysis. Hundreds of personnel were deployed for recovery and investigation operations.
Investigation and Aftermath
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continues to probe the cause of the crash. Preliminary findings have reportedly pointed to technical and operational factors, though a final conclusion has not yet been released. Notably, the damaged hostel complex of B.J. Medical College has been earmarked for reconstruction into a larger facility as part of state government redevelopment plans following the disaster.
As Gujarat marks the first death anniversary of one of its most prominent recent leaders, the tributes reflect both personal loss and the broader shadow the AI-171 tragedy continues to cast over the state.
Point of View
The AAIB has yet to release its final report — an unusual delay for a crash of this magnitude and visibility. Gujarat's political establishment has been swift to honour Rupani's memory, but the families of the other 240 victims on board, and the 19 killed on the ground, are still waiting for accountability. The reconstruction of B.J. Medical College's hostel is a visible marker of recovery; the absence of a crash cause is a visible marker of what remains unfinished.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Vijay Rupani and how did he die?
Vijay Rupani served as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021 and was a senior BJP leader. He died on 12 June 2024 when Air India Flight AI-171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board.
What is the current status of the AI-171 crash investigation?
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is still probing the cause of the crash. Preliminary findings have reportedly pointed to technical and operational factors, but a final report has not yet been released, more than a year after the disaster.
Who was the sole survivor of Air India Flight AI-171?
The only person to survive the crash was British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who escaped from seat 11A. All other 241 passengers and crew on board perished, along with 19 people on the ground.
What happened to B.J. Medical College after the crash?
The hostel complex of B.J. Medical College in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, which was struck by the aircraft, sustained severe damage. The state government has earmarked the site for reconstruction into a larger facility as part of post-disaster redevelopment plans.
How did Gujarat mark the first death anniversary of Vijay Rupani?
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel posted a tribute on social media platform X, calling Rupani's leadership 'memorable.' BJP state president Jagdish Vishwakarma also paid tribute, describing Rupani's contribution to the organisation and the state's development as 'unforgettable.'
