A dramatic turn of events unfolded after a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, where a London-bound Air India flight with 242 people on board exploded into a blazing fireball soon after takeoff. Amidst the chaos and destruction, a miraculous report emerged of a lone survivor, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national who was seated in seat 11A.
The Air India flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed in a residential area just five minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat. The impact was severe, with the plane smashing into a medical staff hostel and killing several people on the ground. The death toll currently stands at 260, with rescue teams and sniffer dogs working tirelessly to recover bodies from the smoldering wreckage.
Ramesh’s survival is nothing short of miraculous, with reports suggesting he walked out of the crash site in a bloodied t-shirt and limping. Videos shared on social media showed him being taken to a hospital in an ambulance. According to his brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, Vishwash said, “I have no idea how I exited the plane.” Ramesh’s cousin, Ajay Valgi, also confirmed that he had called his family to say he was “fine”.
The cause of the crash is still unknown, and authorities are investigating the incident. DNA collection facilities have been set up at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad to help identify the victims. Air India is organizing relief flights from New Delhi and Mumbai to Ahmedabad for the next of kin of passengers and Air India staff. India’s Home Minister Amit Shah visited the crash site and the hospital where Ramesh is being treated, expressing his condolences to the families of the victims.
The crash has sent shockwaves across the globe, with leaders and citizens paying tribute to the victims. Gujarat BJP President CR Patil described the plane crash as a “tragic incident” and expressed deep sorrow at the loss of lives. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is believed to be among the victims who died in the crash.
