In a remarkable story of survival, a British man emerged from the wreckage of an Air India crash that claimed the lives of at least 200 individuals. Vishwashkumar Ramesh, seated in 11A on the London-bound Boeing 787-8 flight, was aboard when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, in western India.
According to Ramesh’s brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, the survivor is struggling to comprehend how he managed to escape the disaster, being the sole survivor among the passengers. The flight, which was headed for Gatwick Airport, included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese individuals, and one Canadian.
Family’s Shock and Concerns for Others
Nayan expressed relief at seeing his brother recovering but is deeply concerned about their sibling, Ajay, who was also on the flight. “We were all in shock as soon as we heard what happened, just utter shock. Speechless,” he shared. With great worry, he noted that Vishwashkumar’s primary concern upon reaching out was finding Ajay. “When he called us he was just more worried about my other brother, like ‘Find Ajay, find Ajay.’ That’s all he cares about at the moment,” Nayan added.
A relative, identified as Jay, informed a news agency that Vishwashkumar sustained facial injuries and was covered in blood upon his emergence from the crash site. Despite his injuries, his condition is reportedly stable. A video circulating on social media showcases him walking towards an ambulance, smoke rising ominously in the background.
Later, in a hospital room, Mr. Ramesh was seen meeting with Indian Interior Minister Amit Shah, further highlighting the gravity of the situation. Reports indicate that he shared his boarding pass with officials, confirming his identity and seat.
Details Surrounding the Tragic Incident
The Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, GS Malik, confirmed to local media that the only survivor was found in seat 11A. He reported that a total of 204 bodies had been recovered, in addition to 41 individuals receiving treatment for injuries sustained on the ground during the crash.
The tragedy involved several British nationals, including Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, and their daughter Sara, who were identified as among those presumed dead. Additionally, Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, founders of a spiritual wellness center in London, were also believed to be aboard the ill-fated flight. Their granddaughter expressed her devastation over the loss of her grandparents, Adam Taju and his wife Hasina, who were traveling with their son-in-law.
The aircraft crashed into a residential building used by medical staff less than a minute after taking off, with the cause of the accident still under investigation. Verified footage shows the plane descending before a significant explosion upon impact.
“We are desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning,” said the King in a statement, conveying deepest sympathies to the affected families.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refrained from confirming details regarding the British survivor but expressed his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “heart-breaking beyond words.” In response to the crisis, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has organized support teams in both India and the UK. Furthermore, London Gatwick Airport announced the establishment of a reception center for relatives to receive updates regarding passengers.
Air India flight AI171 departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT) and was scheduled to arrive in London at 18:25 BST. A verified video captures the moment of descent before the catastrophic explosion as the plane met the ground.