In a devastating tragedy, Air India Flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 people on board. Remarkably, one man survived—Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national from Leicester, seated in 11A.
His brother, Nayan Ramesh, told the BBC that Vishwashkumar has no idea how he survived. “When he called us, he just kept saying, ‘Find Ajay, find Ajay,’ worried sick about our other brother who was also on the flight.”
Vishwashkumar suffered injuries but managed to walk away from the wreckage. Footage shows him dazed and bloodied, heading toward an ambulance as smoke billowed in the background. He later met with Indian officials while recovering in the hospital.
Among the victims were 169 Indian nationals and 52 other Britons, including families from London, Gloucester, and Blackburn. Loved ones continue to await confirmation, clinging to hope.
King Charles expressed deep sorrow, calling the crash “appallingly tragic.” UK and Indian leaders, along with crisis teams, are working to support families.
The cause of the crash remains unknown.
