AHMEDABAD : The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating as Air India Flight AI171, departed Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM and went down shortly after takeoff in a densely populated civilian area near the city. The crash has left the nation in shock as authorities confirm there were no survivors.

Among the deceased was Vijay Rupani, 68, who served as the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat from August 2016 to September 2021. He was seated in 2D and en route to London to visit his daughter, according to officials. His death marks a significant loss for the Bharatiya Janata Party and the state of Gujarat.

Rupani, a seasoned politician and statesman, was widely respected for his steady leadership and key policy initiatives. During his tenure, he introduced the Gujarat Industrial Policy 2020 and led critical tribal development programs, steering the state through a challenging post-Covid recovery.

Though he resigned in 2021 ahead of state elections, Rupani remained active in political and public service circles.

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