A passenger on Air India Flight 171 who miraculously survived the crash of the plane into a building in Ahmedabad has come forward to recount his harrowing experience. Viswash Kumar Ramesh, a 38-year-old British citizen, was seated in an exit row and managed to escape the burning wreckage.
According to Mr. Ramesh, the plane initially felt “stuck” five or 10 seconds after takeoff, and it seemed like it was trying to accelerate when it crashed. The front of the plane broke through the buildings, while the tail became stuck in a building that later turned out to be the dining facility of a medical college.
Miraculously, Mr. Ramesh unbuckled his seatbelt and managed to escape the wreckage after witnessing an opening. However, he claimed that others on board were unable to exit due to the severe impact and crushing force against the walls.
In a video call from near the wreckage, Mr. Ramesh confirmed his survival to his family in Leicester, England, leaving them stunned and mourning for their younger brother Ajay, who did not survive the crash.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/world/asia/air-india-plane-crash-survivor-11a-viswash-kumar-ramesh.html