A family member cries upon hearing the news of her brother who died when the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025. - Photo: Reuters
AHMEDABAD, (India): The death toll of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has risen to more than 290, a police officer tells Reuters.
The authorities had warned earlier that there could be casualties on the ground too, with multiple buildings damaged and residents caught in the crash zone.
Earlier, city police chief GS Malik said at least 204 bodies have been recovered from the crash site.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is said to have died in the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12). He was 68.
Union Minister and Gujarat BJP president CR Patil said "Vijay Rupani was "among victims" in this incident.
Vijay Rupani, the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat, was in office from August 2016 to September 2021. - File pic
"Our leader and former Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, was going (to London) to meet his family. He is also a victim in this incident. May his soul rest in peace. This is a big loss for the BJP," said Patil.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed that Vijay Rupani was on the doomed plane.
Rupani was married to Anjali Rupani, a social worker and philanthropist. The couple has one son.
According to the seat chart, Vijay Rupani was on seat 2D of the Air India flight. He was on his way to London to meet his daughter.
"We are going to do a fair and thorough investigation, and probe why this incident happened. We still have to find out the numbers...Very sad to know that (BJP leader) Vijay Rupani was also there, as were other nationals," said Ram Mohan.
Vijay Rupani, the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat, was in office from August 2016 to September 2021. Known for his composed demeanour and firm administrative style, he steered Gujarat through a critical phase of post-Covid recovery.
Rescuers work at the site of an Air India plane crash in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state on June12, 2025. - Photo: AP
Separately, Air India managing director and chief executive officer Campbell Wilson, in an address posted on X, says a special team from Air India is on its way to provide additional support for those affected by the disaster.
He says the airline will work round the clock to support passengers, crew and their families, as well as investigators.
Air India has also announced two special relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Ahmedabad to assist the next of kin of passengers and airline employees affected by the AI171 crash.
The airline says in a post on X that the flights would provide urgent support and access to those who need to reach Ahmedabad.
Search and rescue teams respond to the scene of an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025. - Photo: AP
Meanwhile, the British government said it will send a team to support the Air India crash investigations in Ahmedabad, which is believed to have killed more than 200 people.
“The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch has formally offered its assistance to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, India. We are deploying a multidisciplinary investigation team to India to support the Indian led investigation,” it says, according to a statement carried by AFP.
Tata Group chairman N. Chandrasekaran said the multinational conglomerate is “deeply anguished” by the Air India Flight 171 tragedy, as he pledges support to those affected.
In a statement on X, Chandrasekaran says the group will provide one crore rupees to the families of each person killed in the crash.
At the scene of an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025.
The Tata Group will also cover all medical expenses for those injured and ensure they receive the necessary care and support.
The group will also assist in rebuilding the hostel at BJ Medical College, which was affected by the crash.
“No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment,” he says. “We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time.” - Agencies
