In a heartbreaking incident on June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, leaving devastation in its wake. Amid the chaos of falling debris and raging fires, one man emerged as the unlikely survivor 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national seated in 11A.
📌 The Crash: What We Know So Far
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The aircraft carried 230 passengers and 12 crew when it crashed into a residential area that included BJ Medical College campus in Meghani Nagar, sparking massive explosions and fires.
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Early reports mentioned at least 204 fatalities onboard, with others injured including bystanders such as medical students living on-site.
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Though initial statements said there were no survivors, officials later confirmed one survivor, Mr. Ramesh, who was treated for chest, eye, and foot trauma at a local hospital.
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Emergency teams from India, the UK, the US, and even Boeing are now cooperating in investigations, rescue, and victim support.
🌟 Survivor’s Voice: A Haunting Testimony
From his civilian hospital bed, Vishwash’s words painted a shocking reality:
“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed… When I woke up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.”
He described how someone found him among the wreckage, recognized the boarding pass still in his hand, and rushed him to safety. Ramesh, based in London for the past 20 years, was returning with his brother Ajay who remains unaccounted for.
🚨 The Devastating Toll
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The crash obliterated a section of the runway and destroyed part of a medical college hostel, resulting in casualties on the ground and widespread damage.
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Ground responses included firefighting units, anti-terror squads, and paramedics racing to control fires and care for the wounded .
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Government leaders from India, the UK, and global aviation authorities have issued condolences and pledged full cooperation.
🧠 Why This Survivor’s Story Matters
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Astonishing Survival: Against overwhelming odds, Ramesh’s escape challenges assumptions about survivability in high-impact crashes.
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Humanizing Tragedy: His words “bodies all around” bring emotional clarity to numbers and headlines.
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Investigative Insight: Survivor accounts may reveal key clues about how and why the aircraft fell.
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Global Impact: With citizens from India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada aboard, the tragedy has international resonance and demands multinational coordination.
🔍 What Happens Next?
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Rescue Efforts continue as ground casualties and missing persons are accounted for.
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Investigations will focus on technical failures such as flap retraction or insufficient lift during climb-out. Support Systems have been activated including helplines, counseling teams, and compensations for victims and loved ones .
💬 Final Thoughts
This terrible event is among the deadliest crashes of the 2020s and the Boeing 787’s first fatal accident. Yet Vishwash Ramesh’s survival offers a fragile shard of hope. His terrifying recollection reminds us that behind global headlines and statistics are individual stories of loss, resilience, and human endurance.
As the investigation unfolds, the world watches closely not just for technical answers, but for accountability, justice, and healing for survivors and families alike.
