According to preliminary reports, the aircraft was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including 53 British nationals, 169 Indians, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 11 children. Ramesh, seated in 11A, survived the disaster, reportedly with injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet.
“Bodies All Around Me,” Says Sole Survivor
In a chilling account, Ramesh recalled the moments after the crash. “I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were bodies all around me,” he said, as quoted in a report by Hindustan Times. “There were pieces of the plane scattered everywhere.” He added that an unidentified person helped him into an ambulance that rushed him to the hospital.
The Air India crash survivor had been visiting family in India and was returning to the UK with his elder brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, 45. However, Ajay has not been located since the incident. “He was travelling with me, and I can’t find him anymore,” Vishwaskumar reportedly told rescue personnel, as quoted in a report by Mirror Now.
Confirmation from Authorities
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik confirmed the identity of the survivor. Speaking to ANI, he stated, “Police recovered one survivor in seat 11A.”
According to Malik, search and rescue operations are ongoing, but at least 204 bodies have been recovered from the crash site near Ahmedabad Airport. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that additional victims on the ground may be among the deceased.The aircraft reportedly lost altitude minutes after takeoff around 9:40 a.m. local time. Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and local aviation authorities have launched parallel inquiries into the incident, as per a report by Mirror Now.
Emotional Aftermath in the UK
In the UK, members of Vishwaskumar’s family have expressed shock and disbelief. Speaking from Leicester, his younger brother Nayan Kumar Ramesh, 27, said, “We were just shocked. I last spoke to him yesterday morning. He said, ‘I have no idea how I exited the plane.’”
Another family member, Jay, told the Press Association that Ramesh called his father from the hospital after the crash. “He was covered in blood. He asked, ‘Where’s Ajay?’” Jay added, “He’s doing well physically, but mentally it’s a big shock. We don’t have words”, as quoted in a report by Mirror Now.
Response from Gatwick and Air India
Air India has established a dedicated helpline for relatives of passengers. London Gatwick Airport has set up a special reception centre to provide support and information to families. “We are working closely with Air India and British consular services,” a Gatwick spokesperson said.
As questions mount around the cause of the crash, Ramesh’s miraculous survival has become a beacon of hope amidst widespread grief. His story stands out as a rare moment of life in an otherwise catastrophic aviation disaster.
FAQs
What happened to Air India Flight 171?
Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick, resulting in over 200 fatalities.
How many people were on board?
The aircraft was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members at the time of the crash.
