How British man survived Air India crash that killed 241 others
A British man, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, has miraculously survived the Air India crash that claimed the lives of 241 people shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad in western India on Thursday.
Ramesh, who occupied seat 11A on the London-bound Boeing 787, is the sole survivor of the catastrophic crash, according to a report by the BBC.
Air India confirmed that all other passengers and crew members — including 169 Indian nationals and 52 Britons — died in the crash.
Speaking to reporters, Ramesh’s brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, said, “He has no idea how he survived. He was just more worried about my other brother, Ajay, who was also on board. That’s all he cared about when he called us.”
The aircraft went down less than a minute after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, crashing into a residential compound used by trainee doctors.
The death toll may increase as authorities continue to assess the impact on the ground. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
Footage shared on social media showed Ramesh injured and bloodied, walking toward an ambulance with thick smoke rising behind him.
He was later seen receiving medical care at a nearby hospital, where he met with Indian Interior Minister Amit Shah.
Dr. Dhaval Gameti, one of the attending physicians, stated, “He was disoriented and had multiple injuries across his body, but he appears to be out of danger.”
The BBC reported that Ramesh, a businessman originally from India, has lived in the UK since 2003. He is married and has a four-year-old son.
Family and friends have expressed both relief and sorrow in the aftermath of the tragedy.
A relative named Jay told the PA news agency, “He’s got injuries on his face and was painted in blood. It’s a big shock, but he seems to be doing well.”
Indian media confirmed Ramesh’s identity using a boarding pass bearing his name and seat number.
Among the other passengers believed to be on board were Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, co-founders of a spiritual wellness centre in London. The couple had posted a light-hearted Instagram video shortly before take-off, joking about their “10-hour flight back to England.” Their company, The Wellness Foundry, has been approached for comment.
Also aboard were Javed and Mariam Syed from West London, travelling with their two young children.
Ammaarah Taju, granddaughter of Blackburn couple Adam and Hasina Taju — both among the deceased — said the family was in “shock and disbelief.” The elderly couple had been travelling with their 51-year-old son-in-law, Altafhusen Patel, a London resident.
