One Man Survives Air India Crash That Killed 241
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was in seat 11A when the plane crashed.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 13 Jun 2025, 09:54 AM
What began as an routine departure from Ahmedabad turned catastrophic within seconds
An Air India flight bound for London's Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, killing 241 of the 242 people on board.
The dead include 230 passengers and 12 crew members, according to Hindustan Times.
Astonishingly, there was one survivor: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin
Video of a bloodied man walking away from the wreckage quickly spread on social media before officials confirmed Ramesh's identity.
"Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly," Ramesh told the Hindustan Times from his hospital bed.
He had been seated in 11A, an emergency exit row just ahead of the left wing — a spot CNN's aviation expert called "incredibly surprising" for a survivor, given the structural vulnerability of that section of the aircraft.
Ramesh had been travelling with his brother, who was seated elsewhere on the plane
At the time of his last statement, he did not know whether his brother had survived. Air India later confirmed he hadn't.
In the UK, Ramesh's cousin told reporters the family was heartbroken, yet grateful he survived. Leicester East MP Shivani Raja called it "nothing short of a miracle".
The crash devastated more than just those on board. The aircraft ploughed into the hostel of BJ Medical College and Hospital, killing several occupants, including at least three medical students.
Authorities warn the death toll may still rise.
The flight was carrying nationals from India, the UK, Canada, and Portugal.
Doctors say Ramesh's condition is stable, and he could be discharged within days.
