“I Woke Up in a Sea of Bodies”- One Man Lives to Tell the Story of India’s Deadliest Flight Disaster

Ahmedabad(The Uttam Hindu): In a tragic turn of events, one man miraculously survived the Air India Flight AI171 crash that occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12. The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, was carrying 242 people when it crashed into a residential area, erupting in flames.

40-year-old Ramesh Vishwash Kumar, a British national of Indian origin, was found alive in seat 11A by rescue teams. He is currently undergoing treatment at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital. Suffering injuries to his chest, legs, and eyes, Ramesh recounted, “About 30 seconds after takeoff, there was a loud sound—and everything went dark. When I woke up, I was surrounded by bodies and aircraft debris.”

Ramesh, who has lived in London for 20 years with his wife and child, was traveling with his brother Ajay Kumar Ramesh. The two were returning to the UK after visiting family. Ajay remains missing, and Ramesh has pleaded for help in locating him. Clutching his boarding pass, Ramesh recalled, “Someone pulled me out and took me to the ambulance.” His survival stands as a rare beacon of hope in the midst of a national tragedy.