Sole survivor of plane crash that killed 241 people on board flight speaks out

One man has survived a plane crash in India that killed more than 240 passengers and crew members on board the flight on Thursday. — Image credit: Saurabh Sirohiya/ZUMA Press Wire

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Summary

Survivor

A sole survivor of a plane crash in India that killed more than 240 people on board the aircraft has spoken to local reporters and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

Investigation

Officials said it is unclear what caused the crash, but the plane crashed shortly after takeoff, and the crew issued a mayday call.

Aviation disaster

Among the dead are 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven people from Portugal and one Canadian.

Full story

A British man has survived a plane crash that killed more than 240 passengers and crew aboard the flight in India. The BBC identified him as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. He was in seat 11A on the flight bound for London when it crashed just after takeoff in western India on Thursday, June 12.

Sole survivor

The sole survivor of the Air India plane carrying 242 people is a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, according to the airline. He told The Hindustan Times that “Thirty seconds after take off, there was a loud noise, and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” said Ramesh.

Ramesh was traveling along with his brother, according to his relatives from the United Kingdom.

The nationalities of those killed

Air India officials said among those killed were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven people from Portugal and one Canadian. The airline released a statement in response to the crash on X.

Air India and Trump’s response

“Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our efforts now are focused on the needs of all those affected, their families and their loved ones,” the statement read.

President Donald Trump called the plane crash “one of the worst in aviation history” and offered to help India.

Probe

An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. The Boeing 787 hit multiple buildings, and The Hindustan Times reports that more than 260 bodies were brought to a local hospital. The black box from the flight has also been found.

US sends investigators

The U.S. is sending investigators to the crash site as the aircraft was American-made. Currently, it’s unclear what caused the plane to plummet shortly after takeoff, but Air India stated that the crew issued a mayday call shortly after departure.

Harry Fogle (Video Editor) contributed to this report.

Tags: Boeing, Donald Trump, India, London, Plane, plane crash

Why this story matters

The crash of Air India Flight 171, with only one known survivor among more than 240 people, highlights critical questions regarding aviation safety procedures, emergency response, and the far-reaching human impact of major air disasters.

Aviation safety

The accident brings international attention to the safety standards and mechanical reliability of modern commercial aircraft, especially as it involves the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, prompting calls for further investigation and review by authorities and manufacturers.

Survivor's account

The survival and testimony of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who recounted his experience from seat 11A, provides rare firsthand insight into the circumstances of the crash and underscores both the randomness and challenges of surviving such disasters.

Human and community impact

The crash resulted in significant loss of life among passengers, crew, and people on the ground, leading to widespread grief, urgent support efforts for victims' families, and broader responses from governments and communities, as illustrated by public condolences and the establishment of relief and investigative teams.

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History lesson

Previous notable air disasters in India include the 1996 crash involving a mid-air collision and the 2020 Kozhikode runway accident. This is the first-ever deadly accident involving a Boeing 787. Historically, India has witnessed airport-adjacent crashes, often intensified by urban encroachment around runways, as seen in earlier tragedies.

Oppo research

Some critics question Air India’s maintenance and training protocols, referencing past safety issues. Others point to broader challenges with Boeing’s manufacturing quality in recent years. Advocacy groups call for stricter aviation regulations and better oversight, arguing that lessons from previous Indian air disasters have not always translated into effective policy changes.

Quote bank

"When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital." — Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, sole survivor, to the Hindustan Times.

Sources

Bias comparison

Media outlets on the left frame the Air India crash through a lens of systemic critique, emphasizing the airline’s operational struggles, delays, and maintenance issues as underlying factors, often employing emotionally charged terms like “massive” and “tragic accident” to underscore the disaster’s human cost.
Media outlets in the center focus on on-site chaos and community responses, providing a human interest angle without partisan overtones.
Media outlets on the right spotlight the survivor’s story as a near-“miracle,” using sensational language such as “MIRACLE” and “sole survivor” in all caps, while expressing skepticism through words like “reportedly” and highlighting pilot actions or technical failures—topics de-emphasized on the left.

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Media landscape

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Key points from the Left

A British national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, as he escaped from seat 11A near an emergency exit.
Authorities confirmed that there were 242 passengers on board the flight, including 53 British nationals, with local reports suggesting multiple casualties on the ground.
The crash occurred shortly after takeoff and resulted in at least 290 fatalities, including three Britons identified by the Gloucester Muslim Community.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Gyanendra Singh Malik confirmed Ramesh as the only survivor, despite initial reports suggesting no survivors from the plane.

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Key points from the Center

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, bound for London Gatwick Airport.
The cause of the crash remains undetermined, but the plane collided with a medical college hostel in a residential area five minutes after liftoff.
At least 240 people, including passengers and people near the crash site, died, with about 50 medical students hospitalized and one confirmed survivor named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
Air India and Indian officials, including Home Minister Amit Shah, expressed profound sorrow and mobilized emergency response, while Boeing shares fell 7.15% to $198.70 following the incident.
The crash represents the first Boeing 787 disaster since its 2009 service start and has prompted ongoing investigations and support efforts from Air India’s parent company, Tata Sons.

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Key points from the Right

An Air India flight, Flight AI171, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 out of 242 individuals on board, but leaving one survivor identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, according to police commissioner GS Malik.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh reported that thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise before the plane crashed, stating he had no idea how he survived.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, reportedly issued a MAYDAY distress call just after takeoff, leading to an ongoing investigation by aviation authorities.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed that the crash was 'heartbreaking beyond words,' while Air India announced compensation for the victims' families and the injured.

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