In a devastating aviation tragedy now etched into Indian history, Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, claiming the lives of at least 241 passengers and crew.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time on June 12. Just minutes later, it plummeted into a densely populated neighborhood, colliding with the campus of a medical college. The impact ignited an inferno, reducing the aircraft to twisted metal and scattering debris across rooftops and classrooms. Charred bodies lined the streets, and part of the aircraft’s tail was found embedded in the shattered wing of a college building.
“It appears there are no survivors,” Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik initially told reporters, confirming that 204 bodies had been recovered. Given the crash site’s proximity to residential and office areas, officials feared additional casualties among locals.
But amid the horror, came a breath of life.
Breaking News: Miraculous Escape! Vishwas Kumar Ramesh survived a harrowing Air India flight incident from Ahmedabad. The brave passenger cheated death in what could have been a tragic plane crash. Our thoughts are with all those affected. #AirIndiaFlight #Ahmedabad… pic.twitter.com/oNmySKzlWQ
— Akash Srivastava (@isrivastavas) June 12, 2025
A Survivor Emerges
Hours after the crash, Malik issued a stunning correction: “One individual has been found alive. He is currently undergoing treatment in hospital. Doctors are closely monitoring his condition.”
The sole survivor is Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national originally from India. Vishwas had been visiting family with his brother, Ajay, and was returning to London when tragedy struck.
Still clutching his boarding pass, Vishwas recounted his terrifying experience from his hospital bed. “Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” he said. “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance.”
Now recovering with minor injuries, Vishwas pleads for news of his brother: “He was travelling with me. I can’t find him anymore. Please help me find him.”
???? Jamie Ray Meek, a British citizen listed as a passenger on Air India Flight 171, reportedly shared a final Instagram Story shortly before takeoff.
He appears on the official manifest under GBR 149261531. A video believed to be his last post.#India #Crash #Ahmedabad #Boeing… pic.twitter.com/KmSpz9iOi9
— the Pulse (@thePulseGlobal) June 12, 2025
Joy Turned Tragedy
Among the victims were Jamie and Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, a couple from London who had just completed a trip to India. Known for their wellness business, the two had recorded a light-hearted video before boarding the doomed flight.
“We are at the airport just boarding. Goodbye India on a 10-hour flight back to London,” Fiongal said in the video, smiling and laughing. He closed the clip with: “Going back happily, happily, happily calm.”
Those words now echo with painful irony.
Investigations Begin
Authorities and aviation experts are now combing through the wreckage in search of answers. The cause of the crash remains unclear, though the rapid descent and impact suggest a catastrophic failure.
For now, the world mourns. Families wait. And one man’s survival stands as a testament to the impossible — a single heartbeat in a field of silence.
We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy. Share your thoughts and prayers in the comments below, and help amplify the voices of families who deserve answers and remembrance.
