A tragic aviation disaster struck Gujarat on Thursday afternoon as Air India Flight AI-171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff. The flight had 242 people on board, including passengers and crew. In a heartbreaking development, only one passenger has been found alive.

👤 The Only Survivor: Who Is He?

The sole survivor of the crash was seated in 11A. Identified as Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen of Indian origin, he is currently undergoing treatment in a local hospital. Officials have confirmed that his condition is stable.

Speaking to authorities, Vishwas recounted the terrifying moments:

“Just 30 seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the crash. Everything happened so fast. When I opened my eyes, there were bodies all around me. I was terrified and managed to escape somehow. Someone pulled me out and rushed me to the hospital.”

🌏 Vishwas Was Visiting His Family in India

Vishwas had come to India for a brief visit to meet his family and was returning to the UK with his elder brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh (45), who sadly did not survive. Vishwas, a resident of London for the past two decades, has his wife and children living there.

🚨 Police and Rescue Update

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik confirmed that relief and rescue operations are still in progress. He mentioned that while the chances are slim, the possibility of finding more survivors cannot be ruled out entirely. Investigation teams are probing every angle to determine the cause of the crash.

चमत्कार !! pic.twitter.com/V7xr65tun8

— Gaurav Singh Sengar (@sengarlive) June 12, 2025

🛫 Passenger Manifest: Who Was on Board?

According to Air India, the aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which took off at 1:38 PM IST. The flight carried a mix of nationalities, including:

• 169 Indian citizens

• 53 British nationals

• 7 Portuguese passengers

• 1 Canadian citizen

Within minutes of takeoff, communication with the control tower was lost, and the plane crashed into a densely populated area of Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar.

🗣️ Ministry of External Affairs & Air India Respond

Reacting to the incident, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the crash as “deeply saddening” and confirmed that multiple foreign nationals were among the deceased. He added that rescue efforts are ongoing and the situation remains dynamic.

Air India has also expressed its condolences and announced a dedicated helpline number: 1800 5691 444 for affected families. The airline has assured full cooperation with investigative agencies and has arranged for immediate medical attention for all injured passengers.

🇬🇧 Reaction from the British Royal Family

In a heartfelt message, King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressed their shock and sorrow over the tragedy, stating that they are "deeply moved by the devastating loss of life in Ahmedabad" and extended their sympathies to all affected families.

The AI-171 plane crash is among the most devastating aviation disasters in recent memory. That only one person managed to survive this catastrophic event—Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, seated on 11A—is being termed nothing short of a miracle. The nation mourns the lives lost while investigators work around the clock to uncover the truth behind this terrible tragedy.

🙏 Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this painful time.