A British national has been confirmed as the sole Air India crash survivor, after a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad killed over 200 people, authorities say.
Police Commissioner GS Malik told Indian news agency ANI that the passenger in seat 11A on the London-bound Boeing 787-8 was rescued alive and is currently being treated in hospital. The seat was listed under Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a UK resident originally from India.
Ramesh’s cousin, Ajay Valgi, who lives in Leicester, told the BBC that Ramesh had contacted his family to say he was “fine.” However, his brother Ajay—who was also on the flight—remains missing.
Dramatic Survival Amid Mass Casualties
The Air India flight, destined for London Gatwick, crashed less than a minute after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. It struck a residential complex housing doctors, sparking a fire and widespread devastation.
According to Commissioner Malik, 204 bodies have been recovered so far, and 41 individuals are receiving hospital treatment for injuries. The passenger list included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian, Air India confirmed.
Videos circulating on social media and verified by the BBC show Ramesh walking toward an ambulance as smoke and debris fill the background. Indian media later published images of his boarding pass as further evidence of his survival.
UK Responds to Crisis
In a statement, King Charles expressed his shock, offering “special prayers and deepest possible sympathy” to the victims’ families and the affected nations.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy told Parliament that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) had activated crisis teams in Delhi and London to support affected British nationals.
London Gatwick Airport confirmed that a support centre for families is being set up and urged anyone needing consular help to call the FCDO helpline at 0207 008 5000.
Flight Details and Crash Timeline
Air India flight AI171 departed from Ahmedabad at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT) and was due to arrive in London at 18:25 BST. The flight crashed moments after takeoff, with eyewitness videos showing the aircraft descending sharply before erupting in a large explosion.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
