A British man who survived the Air India plane crash has opened up about his horrifying experience.
Air India Flight AI171 departed from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:38 local time, en route to London's Gatwick Airport on Thursday (June 12).
Less than a minute after liftoff, the plane’s transponder signal disappeared when it had reached only 625 feet. This led to the Boeing 787-8 slamming into a doctors' hostel in Meghani Nagar, triggering an enormous explosion and fireball that consumed nearby buildings and sent thick smoke soaring into the sky.
Among the 242 people on board were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian, and 11 children.
Despite initial reports stating there were no survivors from the Air India Flight AI171 crash, authorities have now confirmed that a single passenger, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived the devastating incident.
He was seated in 11A when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik said that the survivor is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
Ramesh spoke to Hindustan Times, describing the crash’s terrifying aftermath: “Thirty seconds after take‑off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.”
He recalled waking up surrounded by bodies, feeling paralyzed by fear before he “stood up and ran.” He said someone “grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital".
Ramesh reported suffering “impact injuries” to his chest, eyes, and feet, and confirmed his brother was also onboard.
Before the devastating tragedy, a mayday signal was issued by the pilot, who was reportedly an experienced aviator with over 8,200 flight hours.
Tata Sons, which owns Air India, has pledged compensation for each victim's family, as well as coverage of medical costs for the injured and assistance in rebuilding the destroyed hostel.
The international response has also been swift. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said, “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. My thoughts are with the passengers and their families.” King Charles and Queen Camilla have also been briefed on the tragedy.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow on X, calling the incident “heartbreaking beyond words” and assured the public that authorities were working around the clock to assist those affected.
India’s civil aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, said he was “shocked and devastated,” and confirmed that all emergency and aviation agencies had been mobilized to the scene.
Boeing has stated that they are in contact with Air India and are offering support during the investigation, per CBS News.
Our thoughts continue to be with everyone affected by this horrific crash.