The unbelievable story of how Viswash Kumar Ramesh managed to survive a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, while 241 others perished in the inferno.
Sole Survivor's Miracle Escape from Air India Flight 171 Crash
Sole Survivor's Miracle Escape from Air India Flight 171 Crash
Viswash Kumar Ramesh, the only survivor of the tragic Air India plane crash, recounts his harrowing escape from the wreckage.
In a tragic turn of events, Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, leaving only one survivor, Viswash Kumar Ramesh. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 individuals, collided with a building, igniting a relentless fire that claimed the lives of almost all onboard. Ramesh, 38, shattered the odds, emerging from the wreckage with wounds that told a tale of survival against overwhelming obstacles.
In the aftermath of the disaster, social media was a flurry of activity as grainy footage surfaced showing Ramesh, injured but walking, making his way toward an ambulance. He astonishingly declared, "I came from inside the plane," a statement that initially seemed too implausible to believe in light of the wreckage, where many bodies were burned beyond recognition. However, authorities later confirmed his survival, leading to visits from prominent figures, including India's Home Minister Amit Shah, who remarked on the miracle of his survival.
In a candid interview from his hospital room, Ramesh expressed disbelief at his ordeal, stating, “I still can’t believe how I got out alive. I thought I was also about to die.” He described the flight’s initial moments, saying it felt “stuck” in a critical state just after liftoff. The aircraft's front collided with buildings while the tail remained trapped, allowing him a narrow escape route.
After freeing himself from his seatbelt, Ramesh glimpsed an opening as chaos unfolded. “When my door broke, I saw there was some space — that I could try to get out,” he recounted, noting how the extensive damage left others unable to flee.
A British citizen on vacation with his brother Ajay, who tragically did not survive, Ramesh’s family is now grappling with the heartbeat of loss while celebrating his miraculous survival. He managed to connect with family via a video call shortly after the crash to reassure them of his safety, reflecting the complexity of emotions swirling in the aftermath of such tragedy.
Jacob Judah contributed reporting from Leicester, England, where Ramesh’s family now navigates a mix of grief and gratitude amidst their shared loss.
