UPDATE on Air India crash: British National in seat 11A cheats death

A British national has been identified as the sole survivor of the devastating Air India crash that occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing at least 200 people, according to Indian authorities.

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed to ANI, a local news agency, that a lone passenger seated in 11A on the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner survived the tragic accident.

The aircraft was en route to London Gatwick when it crashed less than a minute after departure.

The survivor has been identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British citizen.

According to the flight manifest released by officials, Mr. Ramesh was assigned seat 11A, which matched the details he later confirmed from his hospital bed.

Indian media outlets have since interviewed him in hospital, where he described the terrifying moments just before the crash.

“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” Ramesh reportedly told reporters from his hospital room.

He also shared his boarding pass, which displayed his name and seat assignment, providing further confirmation of his identity and his remarkable survival.

Commissioner Malik told ANI that the survivor is currently receiving medical treatment, though the extent of his injuries has not been publicly disclosed.

Authorities are closely monitoring his condition.

The Air India flight, which carried 242 people, including passengers and crew, crashed into a residential building used as a hostel for doctors and medical students.

The impact caused a massive explosion and widespread destruction, with emergency services still working to clear debris and identify victims.

According to Air India, the passengers on board included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.

The incident has shocked communities across multiple countries, as families await news of their loved ones.

In the UK, the Royal Family responded with a statement expressing sorrow over the loss.

King Charles and Queen Camilla said they were “desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning.”

They extended their “special prayers and deepest possible sympathy” to the families and friends affected by what they described as a tragedy that spanned many nations.

British officials have also acted swiftly to provide support.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy informed Parliament that crisis teams have been activated in both India and the United Kingdom to assist British nationals affected by the disaster.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Lammy said, “We know that British nationals were on board and I can confirm that the FCDO is working urgently with local authorities to support British nationals and their families.”

British National so far the only survivor, officials say

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has set up emergency response teams in Delhi and London to assist in repatriation, identification, and communication with relatives.

The crash occurred just seconds after the aircraft took off from Ahmedabad’s main airport.

The jet plunged into the Meghaninagar neighborhood, directly hitting the dining hall of a hostel linked to the BJ Medical College.

The area was home to many doctors and medical students, several of whom were among the victims.

Video footage released after the incident showed the aircraft flying low before crashing and erupting into flames.

Images from the scene revealed plumes of smoke, emergency responders carrying stretchers, and remnants of the aircraft embedded in the building’s remains.

As investigators begin examining what led to the crash, attention remains focused on identifying victims and supporting the bereaved.

Aviation experts and officials from multiple countries are expected to participate in a joint inquiry.

For now, the miraculous survival of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh has offered a rare moment of hope amid a catastrophic event.

His testimony could play a crucial role in understanding the final moments of the doomed flight and may aid investigators in piecing together what went wrong.UPDA

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