Miracle in Ahmedabad: British Man Sole Survivor of Devastating Air India Crash

In a truly astonishing turn of events amidst unimaginable tragedy, a British national has emerged as the sole survivor of the Air India flight AI171 crash that claimed the lives of 241 others on board yesterday. Vishwashkumar Ramesh, occupying seat 11A on the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, defied all odds when the aircraft plummeted to the ground shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad.

The devastating incident, which occurred just moments after the plane departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, has left a nation in mourning and sent shockwaves across the globe. The flight, carrying 169 Indian nationals and 52 Britons, was destined for London Gatwick when it crashed into accommodation blocks used by trainee doctors.

Vishwashkumar Ramesh's brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, expressed profound relief and disbelief to BBC News, stating that Vishwashkumar "has no idea how he survived" the catastrophic impact. A video circulating on social media captures a dazed Mr. Ramesh walking away from the smouldering wreckage towards an ambulance, a poignant image against the backdrop of destruction. He was later seen in a hospital bed, where he met India's Interior Minister, Amit Shah.

Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who attended to Mr. Ramesh, confirmed his disoriented state and multiple injuries but assured that he appears to be out of danger. Indian media reports indicate that Mr. Ramesh even shared his boarding pass, validating his presence on the ill-fated flight. The businessman, an Indian-born British national residing in the UK since 2003, has a wife and a four-year-old son, who now have their loved one back against all expectations.

The tragic crash, the cause of which remains under investigation, has also resulted in an unknown number of casualties on the ground as the plane impacted residential structures. The sheer force of the impact, with the aircraft loaded with fuel for its long-haul journey, led to a massive explosion and fire, complicating immediate rescue efforts.

Among the confirmed British fatalities are a family from Gloucester – Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, and their daughter Sara – who are being mourned by their community. London-based spiritual wellness centre owners Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who had playfully documented their journey on Instagram before boarding, are also feared to be among the deceased. Javed and Mariam Syed from West London, along with their two young children, and Adam and Hasina Taju from Blackburn, accompanied by their son-in-law Altafhusen Patel, are also believed to have perished.

Condolences have poured in from around the world. King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressed their "desperate shock" and offered "special prayers" for all affected families. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer extended his thoughts to the grieving families, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as "heart-breaking beyond words."

The UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has mobilized crisis teams in both India and the UK and chaired an emergency committee meeting in response to the disaster. London Gatwick Airport has established a reception centre for relatives, working closely with Air India to provide information and support. Air India confirmed that flight AI171 departed Ahmedabad at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT) and was scheduled to land at London Gatwick at 18:25 BST. A verified video shows the plane descending before a horrifying explosion upon impact. The ongoing investigation will seek to uncover the reasons behind this devastating aviation disaster.