In the aftermath of one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory, the world has been gripped by the harrowing story of a single survivor.
Among the 243 people on board the ill-fated Air India flight, 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh emerged as the only person to make it out alive—an outcome he himself calls miraculous.
Ramesh, a British citizen living in London with his wife and child, is currently recovering in a hospital in Ahmedabad, the northwestern Indian city where the plane tragically crashed just after takeoff.
“I Don’t Know How I’m Alive”
Still stunned and visibly shaken, Ramesh gave a heart-wrenching interview from his hospital bed.
He told Doordarshan, India’s national broadcaster, “I don’t know how I came out of it alive.”
He described the terrifying moment the plane took off and immediately began to behave abnormally, descending instead of climbing.
According to Ramesh, the aircraft suddenly split in two midair, and he was somehow ejected before it exploded.
“There was a loud blast, and I saw two flight attendants die right in front of me,” he said.
Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who is overseeing his care, confirmed that while Ramesh suffered multiple injuries, he’s “out of immediate danger” and showing signs of recovery.
“It Felt Like the Plane Got Stuck”
Recalling those terrifying seconds, Ramesh said that shortly after takeoff, the aircraft felt like it had stalled.
The pilots tried to gain altitude, but the plane instead sped forward and crashed directly into a building—specifically one housing medical students, leading to additional deaths on the ground.
The plane then burst into flames, and Ramesh, who had been seated near the emergency exit, believes that’s what saved him.
His seat was next to the emergency door, which came off during the impact, allowing him to escape just before the fire engulfed the jet.
Walking Through Wreckage and Fire
Eyewitness videos taken moments after the crash showed Ramesh, battered and bleeding, hobbling away from the wreckage.
He had burns on his arm and injuries across his body, yet somehow managed to free himself from the devastation.
“I stood up and ran,” he said, describing how he was surrounded by scattered bodies and debris.
“Someone grabbed me, put me into an ambulance, and brought me here.”
Tragically, Ramesh’s own brother was also on the flight and is presumed to be among the victims.
Prime Minister Modi Visits the Survivor
On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ramesh in his hospital room.
Photographs show the leader leaning over his bed, speaking to the survivor with empathy.
Modi also visited the crash site and shared a solemn message online:
“We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad.
The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words.
We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come.”
Investigation Launched Amid Questions and Grief
The Indian government has already launched a full-scale investigation into what caused the London-bound aircraft to crash so soon after takeoff.
Authorities are working to retrieve the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, which remain buried in the wreckage.
Most of the victims’ bodies were found charred beyond recognition, making DNA identification necessary.
According to Akshay Dongardiv of the Federation of All India Medical Association, medical teams are now performing DNA testing to confirm the identities of the dead.
American Experts Called In to Help
As part of the investigation, a team from the United States is expected to join the effort.
Experts from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Boeing, and General Electric will assist Indian authorities under international aviation protocols.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau confirmed that the inquiry will follow standards laid out by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
A City in Mourning
Ahmedabad, a city of over five million residents, is now mourning not only the air crash victims but also the students and civilians killed on the ground.
Families of those lost have gathered outside the Civil Hospital, waiting for news, many overcome with grief and disbelief.
Black smoke still lingers in the crash zone.
Burned wreckage, twisted metal, and a shattered building serve as grim reminders of what unfolded in mere minutes.
A Survivor’s Story That Won’t Be Forgotten
While the investigation continues and loved ones mourn their losses, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh’s survival has emerged as a beacon of resilience amidst unspeakable tragedy.
His story—a mix of horror, luck, and heartbreak—has moved millions around the world, a living testament to both the fragility and the strength of the human spirit.