AHMEDABAD, INDIA — In a devastating air disaster that claimed the lives of over 200 people, a British man has emerged as the sole survivor of an Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a UK resident originally from India, was seated in 11A on the Boeing 787-8 bound for London Gatwick when the aircraft crashed less than a minute after lifting off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The cause of the crash remains unknown.
Ramesh, covered in blood and visibly dazed, was seen walking toward an ambulance as smoke billowed from the wreckage in videos shared on social media. He is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital, where he was later visited by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah.
Speaking to the BBC, his brother Nayan Kumar Ramesh said the family was in shock: “He has no idea how he survived, how he got out of the plane. When he called us, he was just worried about my other brother, Ajay, who was also onboard. That’s all he cared about.”
A relative, identified only as Jay, told the PA News Agency that Ramesh suffered facial injuries but is expected to recover: “He was painted in blood. It’s a big shock, but he’s doing well.”
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed that one survivor, seated in 11A, had been found alive and transported to the hospital. “The police found one survivor in seat 11A. He is under treatment,” Malik told ANI news agency.
Air India reported there were 230 people on board, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. The flight, numbered AI171, departed at 1:39 p.m. local time and was scheduled to arrive at London Gatwick at 6:25 p.m. BST.
The crash, which occurred when the aircraft plunged into a residential complex used by hospital staff near the airport, resulted in the recovery of 204 bodies so far. Additionally, 41 individuals on the ground sustained injuries.
Among the British victims believed to have perished are Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, and their daughter Sara, as confirmed by the Gloucester Muslim Society. Also feared dead are London-based couple Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, co-founders of the Wellness Foundry, who had posted a video to Instagram joking about their return flight just hours earlier.
In Blackburn, 72-year-old Adam Taju, his wife Hasina (70), and their son-in-law Altafhusen Patel (51) were also onboard. Their family remains hopeful, with granddaughter Ammaarah Taju saying, “We’re clinging onto hope.”
The tragedy has sparked condolences from leaders across the world. Britain’s King Charles expressed deep sorrow, saying he and Queen Camilla were “desperately shocked” by the tragedy. “Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected across so many nations,” read the royal statement.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the incident “awful news,” adding that the government was still working to verify reports. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said crisis response teams have been deployed in both the UK and India.
London Gatwick Airport confirmed the establishment of a reception center for relatives of passengers and urged concerned British citizens to contact the Foreign Office helpline at 0207 008 5000.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the crash “heart-breaking beyond words,” and pledged full support for the investigation and victims’ families.
As investigations into the cause of the crash continue, questions remain about what went wrong just moments after takeoff. A video verified by the BBC shows the aircraft descending rapidly before erupting into a massive explosion on impact.
This incident marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history, with the lone survival of Vishwashkumar Ramesh offering a glimmer of hope amid profound tragedy.