A British man of Indian descent, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, has emerged as the sole survivor of the devastating Air India crash that claimed more than 290 lives in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171 and bound for London, went down just after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 PM local time.
The aircraft plunged into the Meghaninagar neighbourhood, a densely populated area, destroying buildings and killing dozens on the ground, including medical students living in a hostel.
Ramesh, 40, was seated near an emergency exit in economy class and survived with serious injuries. He is currently receiving treatment at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad.
Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who is attending to him, said, “He was disoriented and had multiple injuries across his body.”
In a harrowing account of the crash, Ramesh told Indian media, “Just 30 seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise, and the plane crashed. It happened so fast.
“When I came to, there were bodies everywhere. I was scared, stood up, and ran. Plane debris was all around me.”
His brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, 45, was also on the flight but seated separately. He is feared to be among the victims. “I can’t find my brother anymore,” Ramesh said, devastated.
According to authorities, the flight carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
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Among them were 11 children. Police say 50 to 60 people on the ground may also have died, including students in the hostel hit by the falling aircraft.
“This is one of the worst air disasters in India’s history,” said Vidhi Chaudhary, a local police official.
The crash is the first ever involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a modern aircraft introduced in 2011. Flight data showed that the plane lost altitude shortly after takeoff, disappearing from radar just seconds after reaching 625 feet.
A mayday call had been issued before the crash. Experts believe takeoff configuration issues, like wing flap errors, could be among the causes.
Boeing said it is working with Air India to investigate. “We are gathering more information,” the U.S. aircraft manufacturer stated.
India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah, visited Ramesh in hospital on Friday as emergency crews continued to comb the wreckage. Dr. Pranjal Modi, a senior official, said many of the bodies are “burnt beyond recognition.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the tragedy “stunning and saddening,” and condolences have poured in from world leaders.
Social media has lit up with disbelief at Ramesh’s survival, which many described as “miraculous.”
As investigations begin, Ramesh’s escape stands out as a rare beacon of hope in one of the darkest chapters in Indian aviation history.