39-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor from the horrifying Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad that claimed the lives of 241 passengers, including the crew members. His escape from the horrific crash has shocked the entire nation. He is being hailed as the lucky passenger from seat 11A. Air India confirmed that there were 242 people, including 12 crew members, onboard the flight, and only one among them survived the deadly crash.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the miracle survivor, shared his account of the terrible crash
Vishwash is a British citizen of Indian origin, who was seated in 11A, the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick. His seat was right next to the emergency exit. The aircraft crashed within seconds of taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, claiming the lives of 241 people, including 12 crew members. Out of them were 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. Former Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, was also one of the passengers who couldn’t make it.
The aircraft crashed into the hostel building of BJ Medical College, immediately sparking a fire that claimed more lives in the college.
Advertisment
How did Ramesh miraculously survive the deadly disaster?
His survival was no less than a miracle as he recounted that the section of the plane carrying his seat, 11A, broke apart and flung him to the ground floor of the hostel as the aircraft split into pieces and fire exploded everywhere. He said that he found a narrow escape amidst the destruction and wreckage. Vishwash told Doordarshan,
Advertisment
“The side where I was sitting wasn’t on the hostel side, it was the ground floor of the hostel. I don’t know about others, but the place I was sitting, that portion landed on the ground floor, and there was some space. As soon as my door broke, I saw that there was some space, and then I tried to get out, and I got out. There was a building wall on the opposite side, and the plane had crashed completely on that side, so probably that is why nobody could get out from that side. There was space only where I was. I don’t know how I survived. When the fire broke out, my left hand also got burned. Then I was admitted to the hospital.”
Did Vishwash really jump from the aircraft?
Initial reports said that Vishwash jumped from the emergency exit, but it has now been confirmed by the police and doctors that he was flung out of the aircraft while still strapped to his seat. When he was spotted, he looked disoriented as he was frantically looking for his brother, Ajay, who was also on the plane. When he was brought to the ambulance, he was wounded and covered in blood.
View this post on Instagram
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh recounts how it all happened so quickly
Recalling the tragedy, Vishawah shared with DD how the plane’s green and white lights turned on, and its speed was increased for takeoff. And after that, it all happened in a flash before he knew it, the plane crashed into the hostel building. Vishwash was quoted as saying to Hindustan Times,
ADVERTISEMENT
“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly… When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”
Who is Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the Air India AI171 crash?
British citizen, Vishwash, came for a visit to India with his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh. They were on their way back to London. Reportedly, Vishwash lives with his wife and child in London.
Though Vishwash survived, his brother couldn’t make it as he was seated in a different part of the aircraft. Video clips from the wreckage show Vishwash deranged and frantically shouting,
ADVERTISEMENT
“Plane fatyo che! Plane fatyo che!” (The plane has crashed!)
The medics dragged him towards an ambulance. Vishwash is now admitted to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and is ongoing treatment. PM Narendra Modi visited him on June 13, 2025, at the hospital. Doctors have confirmed that he is hurt but stable for now.
What are your thoughts on Vishwash Kumar Ramesh’s miraculous survival? Let us know in the comments.
