In what can only be described as a miracle amidst one of aviation’s most devastating tragedies, the family of the sole survivor of Air India Flight 171 has spoken publicly for the first time about their relief, anguish, and the harrowing account of survival that has captivated the world. As rescue operations continue and the full scale of this disaster becomes clear, one man’s extraordinary survival story offers both hope and heartbreak in equal measure.
The Miracle Survivor Speaks
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British-Indian passenger who was seated in 11A when Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has provided the first eyewitness account of the disaster that claimed the lives of at least 294 people. His survival, against overwhelming odds, represents one of the most remarkable rescue stories in modern aviation history.
Speaking from his hospital bed in Ahmedabad, Ramesh recounted the terrifying moments that transformed a routine flight to London into a nightmare that would forever change his life. “Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed,” he told The Hindustan Times, his voice still shaking from the trauma. “It all happened so quickly.”
The survivor, who sustained impact injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet, described awakening to a scene of unimaginable horror. “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran,” he continued, his words painting a vivid picture of the chaos and devastation that surrounded him. “There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”
The family of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh have now spoken out (Anadolu / Contributor / Getty Images)
Family’s Emotional Response
The BBC has since spoken to Ramesh’s relative, Ajay Valgi, in Leicester, who revealed the emotional roller coaster the family has experienced since learning of the crash. The family initially feared the worst when news broke of the disaster, only to receive a life-changing phone call from Ramesh himself, confirming he was alive.
“We were just shocked as soon as we heard it,” said Nayankumar, Ramesh’s brother, speaking outside the family home in Leicester. The relief in his voice was palpable as he described the moment they learned of his brother’s survival. According to family members, Ramesh called to say he was “fine,” though the physical and emotional toll of his ordeal was evident.
Nayankumar revealed that his brother had “no idea” how he managed to escape the aircraft. “I have no idea how I exited the plane,” Ramesh reportedly told his family, highlighting the confusion and disorientation that followed the crash. The survivor “got some injuries on his face. He was pretty much covered in blood – that’s what his dad said,” Jay added, providing a stark reminder of how close Ramesh came to sharing the fate of the other 241 people aboard the flight.
The BBC confirmed that Ramesh was born in India but has lived in the UK for many years, building a life that includes a wife and child who anxiously await his return home. This detail adds another layer of poignancy to the story, as it underscores the international scope of this tragedy and the families across multiple countries who have been affected.
The Agonizing Search for His Brother
Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of Ramesh’s survival story is his desperate search for his brother Ajay, who was also aboard the doomed flight. The two brothers were traveling together, but were seated in different rows – a seemingly minor detail that may have made the difference between life and death.
“He was travelling with me and I can’t find him anymore. Please help me find him,” Ramesh pleaded, according to media reports. This gut-wrenching appeal highlights the cruel irony of survival guilt and the agonizing uncertainty that often follows disasters of this magnitude. While Ramesh’s family celebrates his miraculous survival, they simultaneously mourn the likely loss of another beloved family member.
The separation of the brothers on the aircraft – with Ramesh in seat 11A near an emergency exit and Ajay in a different section – illustrates how seemingly random factors can determine survival in aviation disasters. Emergency experts have noted that Ramesh’s proximity to an emergency exit may have been crucial to his survival, though the exact circumstances of his escape remain unclear.
The Scale of the Disaster
Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick Airport, crashed into a residential area shortly after takeoff, creating a scene of destruction that has shocked the aviation world. The aircraft, carrying 242 people including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian, plummeted into the Meghani Nagar neighborhood, also claiming lives on the ground.
The flight was scheduled to depart at 09:50 UK time with an expected arrival at Gatwick Airport at 18:25 BST. However, just seconds after takeoff, air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft. The last signal received was at 08:08:51 UTC, mere moments after the plane had left the runway, indicating that whatever went wrong happened almost immediately after departure.
This disaster represents the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft’s introduction in 2011, sending shockwaves through the aviation industry and raising new questions about aircraft safety. The crash also marks Air India’s first major hull loss since the bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 1985, making it a watershed moment for the airline.
Emergency Response and Rescue Operations
The immediate aftermath of the crash saw a massive emergency response, with rescue teams, firefighters, and medical personnel rushing to the scene. The aircraft, fully fueled for its long-haul journey to London, created an intense fire that complicated rescue efforts and contributed to the high casualty count.
Indian army teams were deployed to assist civil authorities in clearing debris and treating the injured. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), responsible for airport security, was among the first responders, working in coordination with local authorities to secure the area and conduct rescue operations.
Ahmedabad Police have released a preliminary list of 25 injured individuals, with ages ranging from 18 to 52 years old. However, it remains unclear whether this list includes only aircraft passengers or also individuals who were in the buildings and surrounding areas where the plane crashed. The inclusion of three females on the list provides some demographic insight into the survivors, though the full extent of injuries and casualties is still being determined.
The fact that the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel during lunch hour significantly increased the ground casualties. The Federation of All India Medical Association reported that between 50 and 60 medical students were admitted to local hospitals, with some students still missing and others in critical condition.
International Response and Support
The international scope of this tragedy has prompted responses from governments worldwide, particularly given the multinational passenger manifest. President Donald Trump addressed the disaster from the White House, calling it “horrific” and one of “the most worst crashes in aviation history.”
“Nobody had any idea what happened,” Trump said during an event in the East Room. “It looks like it was flying just fine.” The President confirmed that the United States had offered assistance to Indian authorities, stating “anything we can do, we’ll be over there immediately.”
King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressed being “desperately shocked” by the tragedy, with the King offering “special prayers and deepest possible sympathy” to the families affected across multiple nations. The British government is working closely with Indian authorities to establish facts and provide support to those involved, given the significant number of British nationals aboard the flight.
The crash has also drawn attention from aviation authorities worldwide. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board announced it would send a team of investigators to India to assist with the investigation, while Boeing stated it was “working to gather more information” about the incident involving one of its aircraft.
The Investigation Begins
Multiple investigations are now underway to determine the cause of this catastrophic failure. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has launched a comprehensive investigation, while Air India has initiated its own internal review of the incident.
The aircraft involved was an eleven-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered as VT-ANB, which had been delivered to Air India in January 2014. According to aviation data firm Cirium, the aircraft had accumulated 41,000 hours of flight time and nearly 8,000 takeoffs – figures that are considered average for an aircraft of its age and type.
Aviation consultant John M. Cox noted that preliminary images suggested the aircraft had its nose up but was not climbing effectively, which will be a key focus for investigators. The crew’s mayday call, followed by complete loss of communication, suggests that whatever happened occurred very rapidly, giving the pilots little time to respond.
The investigation will likely focus on multiple factors including mechanical failure, pilot error, weather conditions, and potential external factors. The recovery of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder will be crucial for understanding the sequence of events that led to this tragedy.
Impact on Families and Communities
Beyond the statistics and technical details lies the human cost of this disaster – hundreds of families whose lives have been forever changed by the loss of loved ones. The international nature of the passenger manifest means that grief is being felt across continents, from India to the United Kingdom, Portugal to Canada.
For Ramesh’s family in Leicester, the emotions are complex – overwhelming relief at his survival mixed with anxiety about Ajay’s fate and the trauma that Ramesh will need to overcome. The physical injuries he sustained – to his chest, eyes, and feet – will heal, but the psychological impact of surviving such a catastrophic event while witnessing the deaths of so many others will likely require long-term support.
The survivor’s account of being “covered in blood” and surrounded by “bodies all around” provides a glimpse into the psychological trauma he has endured. Mental health experts who specialize in disaster survival note that survivor guilt and post-traumatic stress are common among those who escape such tragedies, and Ramesh will likely need comprehensive psychological support as he recovers.
Aviation Safety Implications
This disaster raises significant questions about aviation safety, particularly regarding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. As the first fatal crash involving this aircraft type, it will undoubtedly prompt a comprehensive review of the plane’s safety systems and design features.
The 787 Dreamliner was designed with numerous safety improvements over previous aircraft, including advanced fire suppression systems, improved structural design, and enhanced pilot training requirements. The fact that this aircraft still experienced a catastrophic failure shortly after takeoff will require investigators to examine whether these safety systems functioned as designed or if there were unforeseen failure modes.
For Air India, this crash represents a major crisis that will require significant resources to manage. The airline’s response, including the establishment of emergency support centers and the offer of substantial compensation to victims’ families, reflects the gravity of the situation and the company’s recognition of its responsibilities to those affected.
The Broader Context
This tragedy occurs against the backdrop of ongoing concerns about aviation safety in an era of increasing air travel demand. While commercial aviation remains statistically one of the safest forms of transportation, disasters like this serve as stark reminders of the inherent risks and the importance of continuous safety improvements.
The crash also highlights the vulnerability of residential areas near airports, as the aircraft’s impact on the medical college hostel demonstrates how aviation disasters can extend far beyond the aircraft itself. This aspect of the tragedy will likely prompt reviews of airport approach and departure routes, particularly in densely populated areas.
Looking Forward: Recovery and Remembrance
As rescue operations continue and the investigation begins in earnest, the immediate priority remains caring for the survivors and supporting the families of those lost. Air India has established emergency response centers and deployed support teams to assist families, while the Indian government has mobilized resources to ensure comprehensive support for all those affected.
For Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of this disaster, the path forward will be long and difficult. His miraculous survival carries with it the weight of being the only witness to the final moments of 241 other souls, a responsibility that few can truly comprehend. His account will be invaluable to investigators seeking to understand what went wrong, but it comes at an enormous personal cost.
The story of his survival – awakening amidst the wreckage, surrounded by death and destruction, yet somehow finding the strength to run to safety – will undoubtedly become part of aviation history. It serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of survival in disasters and the thin line between life and death that can be determined by factors as simple as a seat assignment.
As the investigation unfolds and more details emerge about this tragedy, Ramesh’s survival story will continue to serve as both a source of hope and a reminder of the precious nature of life. His family’s relief at his survival, mixed with their anguish over Ajay’s likely fate, encapsulates the complex emotions that surround disasters of this magnitude.
The breaking of their silence, sharing their story with the world, represents not just relief and gratitude for Ramesh’s survival, but also a recognition of the broader human cost of this tragedy. In speaking out, they have given voice to both the miracle of survival and the magnitude of loss that this disaster represents.
This story will undoubtedly continue to develop as rescue operations conclude, investigations progress, and the full scope of this tragedy becomes clear. For now, the focus remains on supporting those affected, honoring those lost, and seeking answers that might prevent similar tragedies in the future. The survival of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh stands as a beacon of hope amidst overwhelming tragedy, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, miracles can still occur.
