Air India Flight 171 Crash: One Survivor Speaks Out, 204 Confirmed Dead

A sole survivor emerges from a deadly air disaster. Indian authorities have confirmed that one person miraculously survived the crash of flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by Air India, which occurred on Thursday, June 12. The aircraft, en route from Ahmedabad to London, went down less than a minute after takeoff with 242 people on board — 230 passengers and 12 crew members.

The lone survivor has been identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national who was traveling with his brother. Found alive in seat 11A, he was immediately taken to hospital. Speaking to the Hindustan Times, he recounted:

“When I regained consciousness, there were bodies around me. I was terrified. I got up and ran.”

He added that after wandering through the wreckage, a stranger helped him into an ambulance. Footage of him walking dazed through the streets of Ahmedabad has circulated widely on social media.

Complex Investigation After Crash in Urban Area

Rescue teams have recovered 204 bodies from the crash site, and 41 people — including passengers, crew, and local residents — are currently receiving medical care. The aircraft went down in a densely populated residential district, causing a major explosion and extensive damage to several buildings.

The pilot had issued a distress signal just seconds after takeoff. The plane then vanished from radar at an altitude of 190 meters. It crashed outside the airport perimeter, according to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.

A team from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will travel to India to assist local investigators. Boeing has stated it will fully cooperate with authorities and has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims.

The disaster has triggered an outpouring of international reactions. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as a tragedy that “breaks the heart beyond words.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered his thoughts “to the passengers and their families,” while King Charles III said he was “deeply shocked” by the crash. At least 53 British citizens were reportedly on board.