Vishwashkumar Ramesh is the sole survivor of the Air India flight AI171 crash that killed 241 people shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route to London Gatwick when it crashed into a medical college hostel less than a minute after departure.
Ramesh, seated in 11A, escaped the wreckage with multiple injuries and is currently in stable condition in hospital. He expressed shock at his survival and concern for his brother Ajay Kumar Ramesh, who was also on board and remains missing.
Air India confirmed that all other passengers and crew perished, including 169 Indian nationals and 52 Britons. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
UK and Indian officials have mobilized crisis teams to assist families and coordinate the response. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has set up support centers for relatives in both countries.
The tragedy has drawn condolences from leaders worldwide, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described the event as “heart-breaking beyond words.”
