As investigations intensify into the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI171, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London, authorities have now confirmed that one passenger survived the tragedy that took the lives of over 260 people.
One Man Survived: A Miracle Amid the Rubble
In a stunning development, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen of Indian origin, was identified as the sole survivor of the crash. Ramesh was seated in 11A, near the emergency exit.
According to hospital sources and his own recollection, he managed to crawl through a breach in the fuselage and walk away from the wreckage with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
He told doctors that a loud noise rocked the plane just 30 seconds after takeoff. When the aircraft hit the ground, he noticed a rupture near his seat and instinctively escaped through it before the fire spread. He’s currently recovering in a private hospital in Ahmedabad with chest and leg injuries.
Authorities are calling it a “miracle” and are expected to include Ramesh’s testimony in the crash investigation, especially to understand what happened in the final seconds before the crash.
Investigation: Questions Intensify
So far, preliminary investigations suggest the crash might have been caused by engine failure, though black box data analysis is still ongoing.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been working alongside Boeing and international aviation experts to piece together the timeline.
The fact that only one person survived has sparked interest in the aircraft’s emergency exit design, cabin safety layout, and overall structural resilience during a crash. Safety experts believe Ramesh’s seat position next to the exit likely played a key role in his survival.
National Reaction
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Monday morning and later met with the sole survivor. “It’s a painful moment for the country. We will ensure a thorough investigation and extend every support to families of the victims,” he said in a press briefing.
Stay Connected for More Updates
We’re tracking this developing story closely. In upcoming updates, we’ll cover:
- Testimonies from the crash survivor
- Detailed forensic analysis from black box data
- Official airline and government responses
- Insights into how similar disasters can be prevented
References
- El País – “El pasajero 11A… había miedo”
- People.com – “Man Who Survived…”
- AP News – “Plane headed to London crashes with 241 dead”
- CBS News – “Man says he’s the sole survivor…”
- Wikipedia – Flight AI171 summary and crash details
