Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani identified among AI171 crash victims: India begins aviation probe

Why did it take nearly 70 hours to confirm Vijay Rupani’s identity after the Air India AI171 crash in Ahmedabad?

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was officially confirmed dead nearly 70 hours after Air India Flight AI171 crashed outside Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. His body was among the many too badly burned for visual identification. Gujarat Forensics Director H P Sanghvi said DNA testing was the only viable method. The match was confirmed at 11:10 a.m. on Sunday, June 15.

Due to the scale of destruction—both onboard and on the ground—investigators relied on samples submitted by Rupani’s son. The delay, although emotionally taxing for the family, ensured accuracy in one of India’s most high-profile aviation tragedies.

How is the Gujarat government organizing Vijay Rupani’s final rites and managing massive public turnout in Rajkot?

Rupani’s remains were airlifted from Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to Rajkot on June 16 via chartered flight. His final journey began at Prakash Society, where he resided, and ended at Ramnathpara crematorium. Rajkot Police enforced a one-hour vehicle restriction on all roads along the procession route. Markets, private schools, and businesses voluntarily shut operations as a mark of respect.

State leaders, including BJP functionaries and Union ministers, joined the funeral procession. A follow-up prayer meeting is scheduled in Rajkot on June 17 and in Gandhinagar on June 19. The Gujarat government announced state mourning and said the former CM’s contributions would be permanently memorialized.

What political legacy did Vijay Rupani leave behind that explains the massive outpouring of grief in Gujarat?

Vijay Rupani, 68, was among Gujarat’s most enduring political figures. A student activist during the Navnirman Andolan and Emergency era, he rose to become mayor of Rajkot, a Rajya Sabha member, and finally Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021. His tenure focused on urban development, rural water security, and positioning Rajkot as a smart city hub.

Under his leadership, Gujarat secured critical central investments such as AIIMS Rajkot and multiple highway corridors. Known for his soft-spoken demeanor, he avoided political theatrics but delivered on administrative efficiency. Many across the state regard his passing as not just a personal loss, but the end of an era.

What caused the Air India flight AI171 crash and why has it triggered global aviation and regulatory concern?

Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for Newark, New Jersey, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft reportedly failed to achieve sufficient thrust and plunged into a BJ Medical College building less than 90 seconds after takeoff.

The incident killed 241 of 242 onboard, including multiple students and hospital staff who were on the ground. Only one crew member survived, reportedly seated near the rear galley.

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation ordered full technical audits of all Boeing 787s operated by Indian carriers. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the UK’s AAIB are assisting Indian authorities. With preliminary black box data suggesting mechanical failure, the crash is now considered Boeing’s worst involving a 787 Dreamliner globally.

What compensation and diplomatic support has been extended to victims’ families after the AI171 crash?

The Tata Group, parent of Air India, has announced ₹1 crore compensation for each deceased passenger’s family, plus an interim ₹25 lakh already distributed in many cases. Medical assistance and logistical support are being coordinated across state and central ministries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah visited hospitals and met with victims’ families. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III issued condolence statements. U.S., Canadian, and Bangladeshi diplomatic missions opened crisis hotlines for affected citizens and expedited visa clearances for relatives traveling to India.

Non-profit organizations such as SEWA, Red Cross, and HCG Cancer Hospital are offering counseling, documentation assistance, and post-mortem coordination services.

How many victims have been identified so far and what challenges are officials facing in DNA-based verification?

As of June 15, only 32 of the 241 deceased passengers had been positively identified. DNA samples from over 50 families are being matched in batches. Gujarat Health Minister Rishikesh Patel acknowledged the pain families are facing due to the delays but stressed that forensic precision is critical in a tragedy of this scale.

Authorities are also dealing with ground-level deaths at BJ Medical College, where eight medical students were confirmed dead due to the crash’s building impact and subsequent fire. Firefighters, NDRF units, and forensic pathologists continue to work around the clock to preserve dignity and accelerate identification without compromising accuracy.

Will the AI171 disaster lead to permanent changes in India’s civil aviation oversight and fleet safety policies?

The crash has already led to sweeping policy reactions. The DGCA ordered immediate physical inspections of every Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft in India. Air India grounded five Dreamliners for deeper mechanical evaluations. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is focusing on thrust management systems and flight control software.

Policy analysts expect revisions in mandatory pilot training hours, stricter runway readiness protocols, and a possible reevaluation of Air India’s fleet acquisition and maintenance strategies. With India’s aviation sector projected to become the third largest globally by 2027, this disaster may define new safety and compliance standards for decades.

What are investigators focusing on now and when can we expect the preliminary crash report on AI171?

Both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder have been recovered and are undergoing analysis in Delhi under AAIB supervision. According to senior officials, the data includes the last mayday call—“Thrust not achieved, falling, mayday”—which will be critical in diagnosing potential engine or flight software malfunctions.

A preliminary crash report is expected within 30 to 45 days, with a detailed final report projected in 90 to 120 days. Depending on the outcome, civil litigation, regulatory penalties, or global airworthiness directives could follow for both Air India and Boeing.

Is this air tragedy set to redefine aviation accountability and political memory in India?

Vijay Rupani’s confirmed death has brought together political factions, citizens, and institutions in an unprecedented moment of mourning. But the larger implications of AI171’s crash extend far beyond Gujarat.

India now stands at the cusp of major civil aviation reforms. How authorities, airlines, and regulators respond will define trust in public air travel in a rapidly expanding market. For the political class, Rupani’s death is a somber reminder of leadership’s fragility. For aviation, this could be the start of a long-overdue reckoning.