Ahmedabad, Gujarat – A tragic plane crash occurred on June 12, claiming the lives of many, including former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani. His body has been identified through DNA testing. On Sunday, the authorities confirmed the match. The final rites for Rupani will take place on Monday at 3 PM in Rajkot, according to his family.
The crash involved an Air India flight that was headed to London. It took off from Ahmedabad but met with disaster shortly after takeoff. The number of fatalities has now reached 275, with DNA samples taken from 248 bodies. So far, 32 bodies have been identified, and 20 have been handed over to their families. Death certificates have also been provided.
Gujarat’s Home Minister, Harsh Sanghavi, confirmed Rupani’s death during the crash. The tragic news shocked many, as Rupani had been a prominent figure in Gujarat politics for years. His contributions to the state were widely recognised.
Health Minister Rishikesh Patel reported that Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited Rupani’s family to provide information regarding the DNA matching process. He assured them that the state government would assist with the arrangements for the final rites in Rajkot. Family members will decide when they wish to retrieve the body.
BJP MLA Rita Patel stated that the body would be handed over to the family in Rajkot. Following this, further arrangements would be made for the public to pay their last respects to their leader. The deceased will be transported from the Civil Hospital to Rajkot by helicopter.
So far, 32 victims have been identified through DNA testing, and 20 bodies have already been handed over to their families. Ambulances are safely transporting the bodies to their hometowns. For this purpose, 230 teams have been formed to directly contact the relatives of the deceased. A total of 192 ambulances and vehicles are on standby.
Families of 11 foreign nationals who died in the crash are expected to arrive in Ahmedabad today. The authorities have ordered the creation of 170 body storage facilities, of which around 100 have been transported from Vadodara to Ahmedabad. The remaining facilities are still being prepared.
The tragic incident has not only affected Gujarat but has drawn attention from leaders around the world who expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. Vijay Rupani’s untimely demise marks the second time a chief minister of Gujarat has died in a plane crash. The first was Balvant Rai Mehta in 1965, during a tumultuous period in India.
Rupani’s life was characterised by dedication to public service. He was born on August 2, 1956, in Burma, now known as Myanmar. His family returned to Rajkot in 1960, where he completed his education and began his career. Rupani was actively involved in politics from 1971, aligning with various organisations.
The aircraft involved in the crash was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, with reports confirming that over 240 passengers were on board. The loss of life is a stark reminder of the risks associated with air travel, and the tragedy has left a deep impact on the community.
As the state mourns the loss of a leader, arrangements for the final farewell are underway. Many supporters have gathered at Rupani’s residence, sharing their grief and paying their respects. The state government has pledged full support to the family during this difficult time, ensuring that the final rites are conducted with the utmost respect and dignity.
Leave a Reply