Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani's body identified days after tragic Ahmedabad crash

The body of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was among the victims of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday, has been identified through DNA testing. Rupani's DNA was matched around 11:10 AM on Sunday, and his body was subsequently handed over to his family for final rites in Rajkot. This identification marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to ascertain the identities of those lost in the catastrophic aviation incident.

Authorities have confirmed that 32 victims of the crash have been identified so far through DNA analysis, with 14 bodies already released to their respective families. The need for DNA testing arose because many bodies were severely charred beyond recognition in the devastating accident. Victims identified to date hail from various districts across Gujarat and Rajasthan. Overall, the tragedy claimed 270 lives, including 241 passengers and crew members aboard the London-bound Air India Flight 171, and 29 individuals on the ground, notably including five MBBS students.

The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people (230 passengers, 10 crew, and two pilots), crashed just minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. One passenger, an Indian-origin British national, miraculously survived the crash. Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the crash site and met with the injured. Investigations are underway, with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) having recovered the plane's black box. Furthermore, all Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft in Air India's fleet are undergoing enhanced safety inspections as mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.