Ahmedabad: Amid the tragedy of the Ahmedabad-London Air India crash, a glimmer of hope has emerged, a lone survivor has been found alive. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed that one passenger, seated in 11A, miraculously survived the devastating crash of Flight AI171.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, with 242 people on board. Rescue teams found the sole survivor amidst the wreckage and flames. He has been identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh Bhaliya, a 40-year-old British national originally from Diu.
Speaking from his hospital bed at Civil Hospital, Asarwa, Vishwash recounted the terrifying moments of survival: “Just 30 seconds after takeoff, there was a loud bang, and the plane came down. Everything happened in an instant. When I came to, I saw bodies everywhere. I was terrified. I stood up and ran, there were burning fragments of the plane all around me.”
Suffering burns on parts of his body and injuries to his chest, feet, and eyes, Vishwash was quickly rushed to hospital after bystanders spotted him walking away from the crash site. Videos circulating online show locals gathering around him as he emerged, dazed and injured.
Originally in India for a family visit. He was flying back to London with his brother, 45-year-old Ajay Kumar Ramesh, who is feared to be among the deceased. Vishwash, who works in the construction industry in the UK, still had his boarding pass when rescued.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the full death toll. Rescue operations and investigations are ongoing. This singular survival story stands out as a rare moment of hope in an otherwise grim tragedy.