Viswash Kumar Ramesh, the only survivor from the Air India Flight 171 disaster, recounts his narrow escape against all odds.
Survivor of Ahmedabad Plane Crash Shares Harrowing Escape
Survivor of Ahmedabad Plane Crash Shares Harrowing Escape
A miraculous survival story emerges from the wreckage of a devastating plane crash in India.
In a tragic incident that sent shockwaves across India, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's international airport, colliding with a building and erupting in flames. Among the fatalities, one soul emerged alive—Viswash Kumar Ramesh, a 38-year-old British citizen.
Ramesh, who was seated in 11A, became the focus of social media when footage surfaced showing him walking away from the wreckage, bloodied but alive. “I still can’t believe how I got out alive,” he reflected in a hospital interview, expressing disbelief at his survival amidst the catastrophe.
The crash occurred mere moments after takeoff, reportedly within five to ten seconds, as Ramesh described feeling the aircraft struggle before it abruptly crashed. The aircraft's impact left much of the cabin in shambles; many victims were found unrecognizable due to the intense flames that engulfed the plane. However, against all odds, Ramesh found a chance to escape when the door near him broke free upon impact.
He recounted how he saw an opening and acted swiftly to unbuckle his seatbelt, enabling his escape, while many passengers were trapped due to the aircraft’s wreckage crushing against a wall. Ramesh was on a return trip to England after visiting family in India, accompanied by his brother Ajay, who was seated nearby and tragically did not survive the accident.
Ramesh promptly video-called his family back home in Leicester to reassure them of his survival, a mixture of sorrow and relief enveloping his family as they learned of the harrowing events. Minister Amit Shah visited Ramesh in the hospital, where the survivor's story continues to resonate, bringing hope amidst grief. As investigations into the crash proceed, the story of Ramesh’s miraculous survival serves as a testament to the perseverance of the human spirit in the face of disaster.
Jacob Judah contributed reporting from Leicester, ensuring that Ramesh's remarkable journey remains a focal point of a tragic incident.
