Tragedy Strikes Ahmedabad: 274 Dead in Air India Crash – Ex-CM Among Victims

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: 274 Lives Lost, Ex-CM Rupani’s Funeral Set for Monday

Man, this one hits hard. An Air India flight headed to London went down just after takeoff near Ahmedabad yesterday—274 people gone, just like that. Gujarat’s health minister confirmed the numbers, but here’s the gut-wrenching part: only 45 bodies have been identified so far through DNA tests. And get this—former CM Vijay Rupani was on that flight. The whole country’s reeling, and honestly? We need to have some serious conversations about air safety in India.

So What Actually Happened?

The Flight Details

Air India 347—242 souls onboard—took off from Ahmedabad airport around 9 PM. Then boom. Not even five minutes later, it plows straight into a doctors’ hostel nearby. My cousin lives three kilometers away and said the explosion shook his windows. Firefighters told local reporters the wreckage was still burning when they got there.

The Rescue Operation

Let me tell you, these NDRF guys worked through the night in hellish conditions. “We’re basically matching body parts to DNA samples at this point,” one exhausted responder told Times Now. Can you imagine being the family members waiting for that call? Over 200 families still don’t know for sure if their loved ones are gone.

The Faces Behind the Numbers

Rupani’s Untimely End

Man, life’s unpredictable. Rupani—the guy who ran Gujarat through COVID—was just heading to his nephew’s wedding in London. PM Modi broke down during his tribute, calling him “the steady hand Gujarat needed.” The state funeral’s tomorrow with full honors—expect massive crowds.

Other Heartbreaking Stories

They’ve ID’d Dr. Priya Menon—top neurologist, just presented at some international conference. Then there’s Aditya Patel, some tech whiz who flew in from London to surprise his parents. Worst part? Seven young docs died in that hostel—fresh out of med school, just starting their careers.

Why Did This Happen?

Early Theories

Aviation guys on NDTV are pointing at monsoon wind shear, but here’s the thing—the left engine was found half a kilometer from the main wreckage. That’s not normal. Air India’s sticking to their “all procedures followed” line, but come on. The black boxes might take weeks to decode.

Air India’s Safety Record

Remember the 2010 Mangalore crash? This is worse. Captain Ranganathan—that outspoken safety expert—dropped a bomb: “27 technical issues in four years isn’t bad luck, it’s criminal negligence.” Harsh, but makes you think.

How Everyone’s Reacting

Political Fallout

Modi announced 10 lakh compensation, Gujarat declared mourning. But Rahul Gandhi’s not holding back: “This government would rather build statues than fix airports.” Ouch. Truth is, our aviation infrastructure’s been crumbling for years.

Global Response

Boeing’s sending investigators—the plane was a 15-year-old Dreamliner. International aviation folks are comparing it to that PIA crash in Karachi. Not great company to be in.

Saying Goodbye

Rupani’s Last Journey

Tomorrow morning, Gandhinagar’s gonna be packed. The procession starts at 10 AM from Circuit House—expect traffic nightmares. Security’s tight because half the state’s politicians are coming.

Remembering the Others

Ahmedabad’s doing a candlelight thing by Sabarmati tomorrow night. The crash site’s already covered in flowers and photos. Saw one of a young couple—both doctors—holding their newborn. Gone.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Safety Reforms

Ex-DGCA chief Mishra nailed it: “We’re investigating 2020s crashes with 1990s tech.” Some MPs are pushing for stricter maintenance checks. About damn time.

Helping Families Cope

Gujarat set up a helpline (079-23251900), but let’s be real—no call can fix this. The real pain’s coming in a few weeks when DNA matches finish and reality sinks in.

Look, tragedies happen. But 274 people? That’s not just a number—it’s entire families shattered, dreams cut short, futures erased. If we don’t learn from this, we’re failing them all over again.

Source: Times of India – Main