June 12, 2025: Miraculously, Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada, a 40-year-old British national, survived. Seated in 11A near the emergency exit, Vishwash managed to jump out of the plane moments before it exploded.
In viral videos from the crash site, the injured Vishwash was seen walking away from the debris-strewn wreckage before being taken to Civil Hospital, Asarwa. He suffered injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet.
“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” Vishwash recounted from his hospital bed.
Still clutching his boarding pass, he added:
“When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran… Someone grabbed me and put me in an ambulance.”
His brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh (45), who was also on the flight, remains missing, with his condition still unknown.
Also read: Miraculous! Passenger on Seat 11A Survives Air India Crash, Says, “Bodies All Around Me”
What Went Wrong?
The plane took off from runway 23 at 1:39 pm, and issued a “Mayday” distress call just moments into the flight. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft lost communication with Air Traffic Control and crashed into Meghaninagar, a densely populated locality near the airport.
Videos from the scene show thick black smoke rising into the sky, wreckage scattered in the area, and local residents fleeing in panic.
Official Response
DGCA has launched a full investigation into the crash. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad police chief GS Malik confirmed 204 bodies have been recovered so far.
Public Reaction and Aftermath
The tragic incident has triggered shock across India and the UK, especially given the scale of casualties and the rare survival of one individual. Emergency responders are still working at the site, and officials say the casualty toll may rise as rescue operations continue.