A day marked by tragedy revealed a sliver of hope when one man walked away from the wreckage of Air India Flight AI‑171. The Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, crashed mere seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, slamming into a doctors’ hostel. At least 204 bodies—including both passengers and at least five medical students on the ground—have been recovered.
Miracle Survivor – Seat 11A
Eyewitnesses and police confirm that a British national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, aged 40, in seat 11A, survived the crash with only cuts and bruises. Footage capturing him walking away from the burning debris supports this incredible account.
He reportedly said:
“Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed… I stood up and ran” .
Seated near an emergency exit, he may have benefitted from his location, though reports that he jumped from the plane remain unconfirmed and highly unlikely given the timeline .
Casualties Overview
- 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian were aboard.
- On-ground victims include at least 5 medical students killed and dozens injured when the plane struck a doctors’ hostel.
What Went Wrong?
Preliminary videos show a slow climb and an unusual configuration: landing gear and flaps still deployed at around 625 ft altitude, just before the crew issued a Mayday. These signs point to a possible mechanical failure or crew error. Investigators from India, the UK AAIB, and U.S. NTSB are now involved.
