Amazingly, a British national of Indian origin, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was the sole survivor of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash near Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The flight, bound for London, carried 230 passengers and 12 crew; tragically, all others perished, including Ramesh’s brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh.
From his hospital bed at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, Ramesh described the moment of impact: a “loud noise” about 30 seconds after takeoff, followed by sudden chaos. “Everything happened so fast,” he said. He suffered injuries to his chest, eyes, hands, and legs but found himself miraculously conscious amid the wreckage.
He recalled staggering from the crash site with bodies and debris all around: “I stood up and ran. Pieces of plane were everywhere. Someone grabbed me and put me into an ambulance,” he told reporters.
Survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, recalls: “Thirty seconds after takeoff… it all happened so quickly.” He’s the sole survivor and in hospital. pic.twitter.com/xyzSurvivor
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 13, 2025
Ramesh was seated in 11A next to an emergency exit and may have escaped via that route, according to police. Videos circulate showing him walking away from the wreckage, limping and clutching his boarding pass.
Rescue teams recovered one black box, and authorities from India, the U.K., and the U.S. are investigating. The crash also struck a medical college hostel, affecting nearby students and residents. At least 241 onboard and 28 on the ground lost their lives.
Ramesh’s younger brother, Ajay—who was seated elsewhere—has yet to be found. Hospital staff say his family remains deeply shaken and hopes remain slim.
Prime Minister Modi visited Ramesh in person at the hospital, offering support and condolences. The UK Foreign Office has also been engaged in repatriation efforts.
Investigators are examining multiple hypotheses, including mechanical failure and bird strike. As rescue and forensic operations continue, officials caution that this tragedy may be one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent decades.
For ongoing updates and safety analysis, see Reuters’ report on how Ramesh survived, as well as The Guardian’s live coverage.