A devastating tragedy struck on Thursday, 11 June 2025, when an Air India Dreamliner carrying 241 passengers and crew members crashed into a student hostel in Ahmedabad, India. The crash claimed the lives of 240 people, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory. Miraculously, one man survived — British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
Ramesh, who is of Indian origin, was the sole survivor of the horrific crash. He is currently recovering from his injuries at a hospital in Ahmedabad, where he has been receiving medical care and psychological support.
During a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ramesh shared chilling details of the disaster. Speaking to the Prime Minister from his hospital bed, he described the terrifying moments leading up to the crash and expressed disbelief at his own survival.
Ramesh revealed that he was travelling with his brother, Ajay Kumar Rakesh, who sadly did not survive. The two had been seated in separate rows on the doomed flight, which was scheduled to fly from Ahmedabad to London. According to Ramesh, shortly after takeoff, the aircraft appeared to stall mid-air before suddenly nosediving.
“The plane just dropped. One moment we were ascending, and then everything tilted forward. Screaming, confusion, panic — and then the impact,” he recounted. “I don’t know how I survived. I was sitting on the opposite side of the plane from where it hit the building. Maybe that saved me.”
The aircraft crashed directly into the student hostel of BJ Medical College during lunchtime, resulting in additional casualties on the ground. Many students were injured, some critically, as the hostel building bore the full brunt of the impact.
Despite his own injuries, Ramesh managed to walk away from the wreckage. Images of him limping away from the burning remains of the aircraft have since circulated widely on social media, evoking both heartbreak and disbelief from people around the world.
Prime Minister Modi also visited other injured victims at the hospital and expressed condolences to grieving families. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash, with early speculation pointing to possible technical failure or pilot error.
Social media has been flooded with emotional reactions from users around the world. Many shared their thoughts about the fragility of life and the randomness of death in such tragedies. One user remarked, “We all came with a return ticket, just not knowing the date of departure.”
Others expressed concern over the risks of families travelling together on the same flight. “It’s never a good idea for an entire family to board the same plane,” one commenter wrote.
As investigations continue, the lone survivor’s account provides a haunting glimpse into the moments before the crash. For now, Ramesh focuses on healing, mourning the loss of his brother, and making sense of the unimaginable experience he endured.