A British man has miraculously survived a catastrophic Air India crash that claimed at least 294 lives after the plane exploded shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, India.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating flight AI171 to London Gatwick with 242 people on board, crashed into a residential building near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, who was seated in seat 11A near the emergency exit, was the only known survivor and is currently recovering in hospital.
“Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” he told the Hindustan Times. “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.”
Flight data revealed the aircraft had reached just 625 feet when a mayday call was issued. Moments later, it crashed into a facility housing medical students, igniting a massive fire. According to a medic at the scene, part of the plane struck a residential block, while the nose and landing gear crushed the canteen area.
“We rescued some 15 students from the building,” said one doctor, who reported seeing “about 15–20 burnt bodies.”
Air India confirmed that 53 British nationals, 169 Indian nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens were on board. Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Initial reports had indicated no survivors.
Air India, which is undergoing a transformation under the Tata Group, turned its social media profile black in mourning. CEO Campbell Wilson expressed “deep sorrow” and assured the public that investigations were underway, adding, “Anything we can do now, we are doing.”
The 11-year-old aircraft had recently flown the Melbourne–Delhi route and visited Australia as recently as June 8. The crash marks the first major accident involving a 787-8 variant.
Global leaders expressed shock and condolences. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the crash “has stunned and saddened us,” while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the images “devastating.” King Charles said he was “desperately shocked.”
Tata Group chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran confirmed a support centre had been activated to assist families, and India’s aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said the government was on “highest alert,” with rescue and medical teams deployed immediately.
Boeing stated it was assisting Air India and said, “Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.” The company’s stock dropped nearly 5 per cent following the incident, adding pressure amid ongoing scrutiny from previous safety issues.
Source: The Australian
