In a catastrophic event that claimed the lives of 241 individuals, including passengers and crew, a single beacon of hope emerged: 40-year-old British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh miraculously survived the crash of Air India Flight 171. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, plunged into a residential area shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, leading to one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent history.
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Seated at 11A, adjacent to an emergency exit, Ramesh recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the crash. Just seconds after takeoff, he heard a loud noise, and the aircraft began to descend rapidly. Recognizing the imminent danger, Ramesh managed to open the emergency exit and leap from the aircraft, sustaining injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet. He is currently receiving treatment at Civil Hospital in Asarwa.
Tragically, Ramesh's brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, who was also on board, did not survive the crash. The brothers were returning to the UK after visiting family in India.
Authorities are conducting thorough investigations to determine the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports suggest that the aircraft issued a mayday call shortly after takeoff and failed to ascend beyond 800 feet before crashing into the Meghani Nagar residential area.
As the sole survivor, Ramesh's account is expected to provide crucial insights into the final moments of Flight 171, aiding investigators in uncovering the factors that led to this tragic incident.