Ahmedabad Plane Crash: The Gujarat government is observing one-day state mourning today (Monday) as the mortal remains of former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani are being transported to Rajkot.
His remains were identified through a DNA test following the devastating Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad.
Vijay Rupani’s mortal remains will be received by family members and government officials in Rajkot.
The body will be kept at his residence in Prakash Society for public viewing before cremation at 5:00 PM with full state honours.
Union Minister Parshottam Rupala visited the bereaved family in Gandhinagar on Sunday evening, offering condolences and recalling Former CM Rupani’s legacy.
DNA match confirms identity
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi confirmed the identification on social media, stating that a DNA match was confirmed at 11:10 AM on Sunday.
Dr Rajnish Patel, Medical Superintendent at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, said 92 DNA matches were made, but due to some duplications, only 87 were unique victims.
So far, 47 bodies have been handed over to their families.
AirIndia Crash DNA reports Update as of 6 PM
– Yest till 9 PM: 19 matched
– Today till 1 PM: 42 matched
– Today till 6 PM: 86 matchedProgress continues in identifying victims. Our thoughts are with the families.
— Harsh Sanghavi (@sanghaviharsh) June 15, 2025
Vijay Rupani was among the 242 passengers aboard the ill-fated AI-171 flight, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner headed to London.
The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off on 12 June, colliding with the hostel building of BJ Medical College.
Only one passenger, a British national named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived. The total death toll has reached 270, including casualties on the ground.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continues its investigation at the sealed crash site.
The second black box was recently recovered and may reveal what went wrong moments after take-off.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior leaders have expressed condolences.
PM Modi, who shares a long political journey with Vijay Rupani, termed the loss ‘deeply personal’.
As Rajkot prepares to bid farewell, Vijay Rupani will be remembered for his calm leadership and dedicated service to Gujarat. His final journey today marks the end of an era in the state’s political history.
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