By The Sampadak Express
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who tragically lost his life in the devastating Air India crash last Thursday, will be laid to rest today in Rajkot with full state honours. The Gujarat government has declared a one-day state mourning to pay tribute to the late BJP leader.
Rupani was aboard Air India Flight 171, a Boeing Dreamliner 787-8, which crashed within seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The ill-fated flight, en route to London, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members. In the horrific incident, all but one person a British national of Indian origin, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh lost their lives after the aircraft crashed into a hostel building of BJ Medical College, triggering a massive fire.
Three days after the crash, Rupani’s body was identified through DNA testing. His remains were handed over to his family on Sunday. Today, his body will be transported from Ahmedabad Civil Hospital at 11:30 am and flown to Rajkot, where it is expected to arrive by 2 pm. The final rites will be conducted at 5 pm.
According to Dr. Rajneesh Patel, Additional Superintendent at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Rupani was among 80 victims identified through DNA analysis. So far, 33 bodies have been handed over to their respective families. Dr. Patel also mentioned that relatives of two more victims are expected to arrive by Monday night, with 13 more scheduled to collect bodies on Tuesday. For 21 victims, the handover will take place following further consultations. In 11 cases, where family members were also victims, bodies will be released after additional DNA confirmation.
The state government has appointed dedicated support teams for each bereaved family, comprising senior officers, police officials, and professional counsellors to provide both emotional and logistical assistance during the identification and handover process.
Victims from across multiple regions have been identified and returned to their families, including 12 from Ahmedabad, five from Baroda, four each from Mehsana and Anand, two each from Kheda and Bharuch, and one each from Udaipur, Jodhpur, Botad, and Aravalli.
Meanwhile, the sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, continues to receive medical treatment for his injuries. The crash not only claimed the lives of passengers but also took the lives of at least 33 individuals on the ground, including local residents and MBBS students present at the BJ Medical College hostel.
Authorities continue to assure that all victims will be identified and handed over to their families with the utmost respect and dignity.
