British Survivor Emerges from Deadly Air India Crash That Claimed 241 Lives

In a stunning twist of fate, a British national has emerged as the sole survivor of a devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad, India, which claimed the lives of 241 people, including 169 Indian nationals and 52 Britons.

Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who was seated in 11A on the London-bound Air India Flight AI171, miraculously walked away from the wreckage after the aircraft crashed less than a minute after take-off. The crash site, located in residential quarters for trainee doctors, was engulfed in flames moments after the plane struck the ground.

Ramesh’s brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, told BBC News that Vishwashkumar has no memory of how he survived. “When he called us, he kept saying ‘Find Ajay, find Ajay,’—he was more concerned about our other brother,” Nayan said.

Air India confirmed that all other passengers and crew perished. Videos circulating online show Vishwashkumar walking towards an ambulance, visibly injured and covered in blood, with smoke rising in the background.

Doctors at the Ahmedabad hospital where he’s being treated stated he had multiple injuries but was out of danger. Indian Interior Minister Amit Shah later visited him at the hospital.

Vishwashkumar, who has lived in the UK since 2003 and has a wife and four-year-old son, reportedly shared his boarding pass and seat number with Indian authorities as confirmation.

The crash’s cause remains unknown, but investigations are underway. Tragically, several British families were on board, including:

Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, and their daughter Sara, all from Gloucester.

Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, spiritual wellness coaches from London.

Javed and Mariam Syed from West London with their two children. 

Adam Taju (72) and Hasina Taju (70) from Blackburn, traveling with their son-in-law Altfahusen Patel, 51.

The UK and Indian governments expressed condolences. King Charles described the incident as “a tragedy across many nations,” and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called it “absolutely devastating.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the crash was “heart-breaking beyond words.”

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy initiated emergency response teams in both the UK and India. London Gatwick Airport, where the plane was scheduled to land at 18:25 BST, has set up a reception center for affected families.

The Boeing 787 had taken off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time and crashed shortly after. Footage verified by the BBC shows the jet descending rapidly before erupting into flames.

The miraculous survival of Mr. Ramesh offers a sliver of hope in an otherwise heartbreaking tragedy that has left multiple nations in mourning.