Plane Crashed in Ahmedabad. Out of 242 People, Only 1 Survived - Here’s What He Saw
Riya Kumari | Jun 12, 2025, 21:51 IST
( Image credit : AP, Timeslife )
Amid the twisted metal, billowing smoke, and scorched memories of one of India’s deadliest aviation tragedies, a single figure emerged—barely upright, battered, bloodied, but breathing. Ramesh Vishwaskumar, a British citizen originally from India, was seated in 11A on the doomed Air India flight that crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday. Of the 242 passengers and crew on board, he is the lone confirmed survivor.
Ahmedabad, India — June 12, 2025
In a devastating crash near Ahmedabad Airport, Air India Flight AI‑171 (a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner registered VT‑ANB) plummeted into a residential area and upended a building belonging to B.J. Medical College shortly after take-off. The flight, bound for London Gatwick, carried 242 people—230 passengers and 12 crew. At least 204 bodies have been recovered from the aircraft and ground impact; the death toll may climb to 241 Authorities have confirmed one survivor: a British citizen identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, also known as Ramesh Vishwaskumar, seated in 11A
He Walked Away from the Flames
Medical personnel report Ramesh sustained bruises to his chest, face, and feet, but his injuries are non‑critical
In his own words, he recounted:
“Thirty seconds after take‑off, there was a loud noise… When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I got up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”
This statement, captured on camera, shows a man visibly staggering from the wreckage—his clothes torn, face blood-streaked, and gaze distant . A dramatic but tragic image of one man’s desperate will to survive.
At the Heart of a Family’s Despair
Ramesh had flown in from London for a short family visit. According to reports, his brother—believed to be onboard as well—remains unaccounted for . Friends from Diu are en route to Ahmedabad, hoping for a breakthrough as authorities continue victim identification efforts using DNA and personal records
What Happens Next
Beyond the Crash
Describing Ramesh as the "lone survivor" omits the emotional wreckage he carries—the missing brother, the fractured family reunion, the survivors’ guilt, the silence.
His brief quote is not a novelty, but a stark testimony from someone who lived through the unthinkable. It punctures the headlines and forces us to reflect: what does it mean to survive when nearly everyone else has not?
In a devastating crash near Ahmedabad Airport, Air India Flight AI‑171 (a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner registered VT‑ANB) plummeted into a residential area and upended a building belonging to B.J. Medical College shortly after take-off. The flight, bound for London Gatwick, carried 242 people—230 passengers and 12 crew. At least 204 bodies have been recovered from the aircraft and ground impact; the death toll may climb to 241 Authorities have confirmed one survivor: a British citizen identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, also known as Ramesh Vishwaskumar, seated in 11A
He Walked Away from the Flames
Plane crash
( Image credit : AP )
Ahmedabad crash
( Image credit : ANI )
Medical personnel report Ramesh sustained bruises to his chest, face, and feet, but his injuries are non‑critical
In his own words, he recounted:
“Thirty seconds after take‑off, there was a loud noise… When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I got up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”
This statement, captured on camera, shows a man visibly staggering from the wreckage—his clothes torn, face blood-streaked, and gaze distant . A dramatic but tragic image of one man’s desperate will to survive.
At the Heart of a Family’s Despair
What Happens Next
- Rescue and identification efforts are ongoing. At least 204 bodies have been retrieved and are being forensically identified; over 50 injured individuals are being treated in local hospitals
- Black boxes recovered early Thursday evening are now with Indian investigative authorities. The AAIB, DGCA, UK AAIB, Boeing, GE Aerospace, and even the NTSB are jointly assisting. Investigation will examine flight data, cockpit audio, engine performance, landing gear, and other systems
- Government response: Civil Aviation Minister and his UK counterpart have stressed a transparent inquiry. The Tata Group, Air India’s owner, has pledged monetary compensation for victim’s family and will cover medical expenses
- Global reaction: Leaders including India’s PM Modi, UK PM Starmer, King Charles III, and others have expressed condolences
Beyond the Crash
His brief quote is not a novelty, but a stark testimony from someone who lived through the unthinkable. It punctures the headlines and forces us to reflect: what does it mean to survive when nearly everyone else has not?