A British passenger has been identified as the only survivor of a catastrophic Air India plane crash that killed 229 people shortly after takeoff in India.
The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed just 30 seconds after departing, according to Indian authorities.
The sole survivor is Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was seated in 11A. His identity was confirmed by the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik and verified by local media reports. Mr. Ramesh was taken to a hospital where he is reportedly in stable condition. He recounted the moments leading to the crash, saying a loud noise occurred moments after takeoff, followed immediately by the crash.
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Air India confirmed in a statement that 230 people were on board the ill-fated flight. Among them were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. The crash represents one of the deadliest aviation disasters involving an Indian airline in recent memory.
Mr. Ramesh’s survival has been described by officials as extraordinary, considering the severity of the crash and the total loss of life among other passengers. Indian media reported that while recovering in the hospital, Mr. Ramesh provided his boarding pass as evidence, showing his name and assigned seat as 11A. Authorities later cross-referenced this with the official passenger manifest to confirm his identity.
The cause of the crash has not been determined. Indian aviation authorities have launched a full-scale investigation. Experts from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with crash investigators and aviation specialists, are examining black box recordings, flight data, and other onboard systems.
Given that the crash occurred within half a minute of takeoff, investigators are expected to focus on potential issues with the aircraft’s engines, takeoff procedures, and structural components. Preliminary attention is being paid to possible mechanical failure, although officials caution that conclusions will not be drawn until all evidence is reviewed.
The aircraft involved in the crash was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, widely considered a reliable and modern plane with a strong safety record. Air India frequently uses this model on long-haul international flights. In response to the crash, Air India has temporarily grounded its other 787-8 aircraft pending the outcome of the investigation.
Governments from countries whose citizens were on board, including the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada, have issued condolences. British consular staff are in direct contact with Mr. Ramesh and his family. They are assisting in his medical care and with preparations for his eventual return to the United Kingdom.
The Indian government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the disaster. Officials have pledged transparency and have stated that the findings will be shared with the public and with families of the victims. The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that the investigation would prioritize understanding whether technical failures, human error, or regulatory shortcomings contributed to the crash.
This tragedy has reignited discussions around aviation safety in India, especially as the country continues expanding its domestic and international airline network. Over the past decade, India has significantly grown its air travel infrastructure and services, but this crash is likely to lead to renewed scrutiny of pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and regulatory enforcement.
Emergency response teams and forensic specialists are continuing efforts to identify the victims. Families of the deceased are being notified, and support services have been activated for grieving relatives both in India and abroad.
For now, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh remains the only person to have survived what is being described as a catastrophic failure shortly after takeoff. While the exact nature of his injuries has not been disclosed, officials have confirmed that he is stable and conscious. His testimony may prove crucial to helping investigators reconstruct the moments leading up to the crash.
As the investigation continues, global attention remains focused on understanding how such a disaster unfolded so rapidly and what steps can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
