Incredible Moment Survivor Of India Plane Crash Walks Away From Crash Site

Astonishingly, a British man survived the Air India jet crash that tragically took 241 lives—passengers and crew included—just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India. 38-year-old Vishwashkumar Ramesh, seated in 11A on the London-bound Boeing 787, emerged as the sole survivor of the devastating accident on May 25.

“I Have No Idea How I Survived”

Vishwashkumar’s brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, told BBC News his sibling “has no idea how he survived” and managed to escape the wreckage. Air India confirmed that all others aboard perished, among them 169 Indian nationals and 52 Britons.

Still, Nayan reflected a bittersweet relief: “It feels great seeing him [Vishwashkumar] doing well,” he shared, while also expressing concern for their other brother, Ajay—who remains missing. “We were all in shock as soon as we heard what happened, just utter shock. Speechless,” he said. “He [Vishwashkumar] himself has no idea how he survived, how he got out the plane. When he called us he was just more worried about my other brother, like ‘Find Ajay, find Ajay.’ That’s all he cares about at the moment.”

A family member, Jay, told PA news that Vishwashkumar suffered facial injuries and “was painted in blood.” Medical staff attending him noted he was “disorientated, with multiple injuries all over his body. But he seems to be out of danger,” according to Dr. Dhaval Gameti.

The Call to Home and a Nation’s Shock
Clutching his boarding pass—displaying his name and seat—Vishwashkumar was photographed walking toward an ambulance amid billowing smoke. Soon after, he was visited in the hospital by India’s interior minister, Amit Shah. Born in India and based in the UK since 2003, Vishwashkumar is married with a four‑year‑old son.

On the ground near the crash site—accommodation for trainee doctors outside Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport—full details of casualties remain murky. The plane went down less than a minute after leaving the tarmac, and it’s still unclear how many people in nearby buildings were affected. The tragedy rippled across nations, and survivor and victim counts continue to evolve.

A Wave of Loss, Support, and Official Response
In Britain, grief quickly turned to tribute and action. The Gloucester Muslim Society named three victims aboard: Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, and their daughter Sara. Imam Abdullah Samad said, “They touched lots of people and they will be missed by lots of people.” Other British victims included Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw‑Meek, spiritual entrepreneurs spotted in a cheerful Instagram video just before boarding. The couple’s London-based Wellness Foundry confirmed their presence on the flight.

Another family member, Ammaarah Taju, mourned her grandparents Adam (72) and Hasina (70) Taju of Blackburn, and her 51-year-old brother-in-law, Altafhusen Patel—all on that ill-fated flight.

From Buckingham Palace came a heartfelt message from King Charles and Queen Camilla: “Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations.” Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer offered condolences, acknowledging families “absolutely devastated by this awful news,” and India’s PM Narendra Modi called the crash “heart-breaking beyond words.”

The UK government activated crisis teams in India and at home, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy spearheading a response. London Gatwick Airport set up a reception center for relatives, advising worried loved ones to call (+44) 0207 008 5000.

How It Happened — What’s Next
Flight AI171 departed Ahmedabad at 1:39 PM local time (8:09 AM GMT), bound for Gatwick, and was set to land at 6:25 PM BST. Dramatic footage verified by the BBC captured the plane’s descent before a massive explosion on impact.

As recovery and investigation efforts continue, attention centers on locating Ajay Ramesh and uncovering what led to this heart‑wrenching disaster. Meanwhile, the survival of Vishwashkumar Ramesh—who walked out of the wreckage with no memory of how—is already the foundation of one of aviation’s rare, extraordinary miracles.