Diu: In what is being called a miraculous escape, Vishwash Kumar, the sole survivor of the devastating Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad, was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday evening. Still bearing burns and injuries on his face and hands, Vishwash returned to his hometown of Diu to attend the funeral of his brother, Ajay, who perished in the crash.
The brothers were traveling from Ahmedabad to London on June 12 when their flight tragically crashed shortly after takeoff. While Vishwash managed to escape the burning wreckage, his brother did not survive. Overcome with grief, Vishwash broke down during the final rites, saying, “Why did I survive? I should have died too.”
Originally from Diu, Vishwash now holds British citizenship. His return to attend Ajay’s last rites was deeply emotional, as the town mourned not just Ajay but six other victims from the same region. The crash claimed the lives of seven Diu residents, sending shockwaves through the close-knit coastal community.
The victims from Diu whose bodies arrived on Wednesday included Chhagan Bhikhabhai, Chandubhai Bhagwanbhai, Hemakshiben Girishbhai, Adilbhai Girishbhai, Takshviben Girishbhai, Manishbhai Babubhai, and Ajaybhai Rameshbhai. Their families received the remains after DNA confirmation, and the entire town gathered to offer a tearful farewell.
Speaking about the horrifying moments before the crash, Vishwash recalled a strange sensation as the aircraft was taking off. “There was something wrong. The plane came to a sudden halt for about 5 to 10 seconds, and then green and white lights flashed inside,” he recounted. Moments later, the aircraft crashed into a nearby hostel building. “I saw passengers and crew burning alive right in front of me,” he said, his voice shaking.
Investigators believe Vishwash’s survival was due to his seat position and his rapid response in the chaos that followed. His account is expected to play a key role in the ongoing multi-agency investigation into the crash. For now, as Diu mourns its tragic loss, one man lives with the pain of survival and the haunting memory of what he witnessed.