British man survives deadly Air India crash

An Air India passenger plane operating flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff on the morning of June 12. There were 242 people on board. All but one were killed in the crash. The sole survivor was a 40-year-old British citizen, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who managed to escape the wreckage on his own.

According to police and aviation officials, the Boeing 787 climbed to approximately 625 feet before losing control, breaking apart in the air, and crashing near the campus of a medical college in Ahmedabad. The aircraft exploded on impact.

Ramesh was seated near an emergency exit. He later told Hindustan Times that he woke up surrounded by bodies, stood up, and ran before the fire spread. ‘I just got up and ran. Everything was covered in blood. I didn’t know if I was alive,’ he said from his hospital bed.

Doctors confirmed the British national sustained multiple injuries but remains in stable condition. Indian Home Minister Amit Shah visited him in hospital. Representatives of the British consulate are also providing assistance.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has launched a full inquiry into the crash, joined by investigators from the UK and the United States. Air India said it is conducting an internal review and will offer compensation to the families of the victims.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident ‘horrific,’ and King Charles extended his condolences to the families. A COBRA emergency meeting was convened in London in response to the tragedy.