British National the Sole Survivor of India Plane Crash
British Man Miraculously Survives Air India Crash That Killed 241
In a tragic incident that left 241 dead, one man has emerged as the sole survivor of the Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad, western India.
Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British citizen originally from India and now residing in Leicester, was seated in 11A on a London-bound Boeing 787-8 when the aircraft went down just moments after takeoff.
According to his brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, Vishwashkumar is still in disbelief over how he made it out alive. “He has no idea how he survived,” Nayan told BBC News.
“He called us right after, but all he could talk about was our other brother, Ajay, who was also on the flight — he just kept saying, ‘Find Ajay.’”
Air India has confirmed that all other passengers and crew members perished, including 169 Indian nationals and 52 Britons.
Video footage circulating online shows Vishwashkumar, bloodied but alive, walking toward an ambulance with thick smoke rising from the wreckage behind him.
Later footage shows him in a hospital bed, where he was visited by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah. Indian media reports confirm that Ramesh shared his boarding pass, verifying his seat number and identity.
He is understood to have a wife and child and had been living in the UK for several years. In an interview, he recalled the terrifying moment:
“About 30 seconds after takeoff, there was a loud bang, and the next thing I remember was waking up surrounded by wreckage and bodies. I just stood up and ran. Someone pulled me into an ambulance, and I was taken to the hospital.”
Ahmedabad’s Police Commissioner, GS Malik, told ANI that Ramesh is indeed the only confirmed survivor, discovered alive in seat 11A.
Several families are now mourning, including those of Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee, and their daughter Sara, who were named by the Gloucester Muslim Society.
Spiritual wellness coaches Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek were also believed to be on board, having posted lighthearted travel updates shortly before the crash.
Adam Taju, 72, and his wife Hasina, 70, were returning to the UK with their son-in-law when the crash occurred.
Their granddaughter, Ammaarah Taju, expressed her heartbreak and said the family is «still clinging to hope.»
The aircraft is reported to have crashed less than a minute after departure, hitting accommodation used by doctors. The cause of the crash remains unknown.
In a statement, King Charles expressed deep sorrow, saying he and Queen Camilla were “desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad,” and extended their sympathies to families across affected nations.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer noted that the UK government is working to verify reports and expressed condolences to the grieving families.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “beyond heartbreaking.”
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has activated crisis response teams both in the UK and India, and London Gatwick Airport has set up a reception center to assist families of passengers.
British nationals seeking help are advised to contact consular services via 0207 008 5000.
