A British national has been confirmed as the sole survivor of a tragic Air India plane crash that killed 241 people shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon.
The ill-fated Air India Flight AI117, bound for London, plummeted into the Meghani Nagar residential area near a medical college just moments after lifting off at 1:38 PM local time (09:08 BST). The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, including 53 British nationals, was engulfed in flames as it exploded on impact, sending thick black smoke billowing across the north-western Indian city.
The lone survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, was seated in 11A when the plane went down. Speaking from a general ward in the Civil Hospital in Asarwa, Ahmedabad, Ramesh recounted the horrifying moments before the crash.
“Thirty seconds after takeoff there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” he told Hindustan Times, visibly shaken.
Ramesh, who has lived in the UK for over 20 years, had been visiting family in India. It is believed that one of his brothers was also aboard the same flight. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether that relative was among the deceased.
Back in Leicester, East Midlands, Ramesh’s younger brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, 27, expressed disbelief. “We were just shocked as soon as we heard it. I last spoke to him yesterday morning. We’re devastated, just devastated. He said, ‘I have no idea how I exited the plane,’” Nayan told reporters outside their family home.
Another family member added, “He’s doing well I think. It’s a big shock. I don’t have many words to describe the incident.”
Initial reports from the crash site led officials to believe that there were no survivors. However, local police later confirmed they had rescued one man alive from the wreckage, who was then transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The crash triggered a massive emergency response, with fire and rescue teams battling the inferno amid debris strewn across a densely populated area. Eyewitness videos captured the terrifying scene as flames surged from the crash site, and the sound of secondary explosions echoed through the neighborhood.
Air India and aviation regulators have launched an investigation into the cause of the disaster. Early indications suggest a catastrophic engine failure may have played a role, though officials have not ruled out other mechanical or structural issues. The black box has been recovered and is being analyzed by aviation authorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via social media, calling the crash a “national tragedy” and promising full support for the investigation and victim support efforts.
The British High Commission in New Delhi has confirmed it is working closely with Indian authorities and providing consular assistance to the victims’ families.
As the nation mourns, the story of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh’s miraculous survival offers a sliver of hope, though shrouded in deep grief.
