Man Survives Plane Crash That Killed 241, Credits Emergency Exit Seat for Luck

Air India Flight AI171 crashed into a densely populated district in Ahmedabad, killing 241 people. Ramesh Vishwaskumar, a UK citizen, survived despite being injured. He was seated in the first row of economy class and managed to escape through an emergency exit. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and Vishwaskumar may be able to provide valuable clues. His survival defies a string of deadly aviation crashes in recent months.

Ahmedabad, India - June 13, 2025 - Air India Flight AI171 crashed into a densely populated district in Ahmedabad on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of 241 people. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which was bound for London Gatwick, encountered a catastrophic event shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The sole survivor, Ramesh Vishwaskumar, a UK citizen, was seated in the first row of economy class. Despite sustaining injuries, he managed to escape through an emergency exit. Vishwaskumar's survival is a rare occurrence in a string of deadly aviation crashes that have occurred recently. His testimony may provide valuable insights into the cause of the crash, which remains unknown at this time.

The crash occurred at 13:39 local time, just 30 seconds after takeoff. The plane was flying at an altitude of 625 feet (190 meters) when it lost contact with air traffic control and crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar. The aircraft, which had 242 passengers and crew members on board, was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national, and seven Portuguese nationals.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by Indian authorities. The Indian aviation regulator has directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Air India has activated an emergency center and set up a dedicated passenger hotline to provide information to families seeking updates.

The airline's chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and stated that Air India is fully cooperating with authorities investigating the crash. The airline has also suspended all operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport until further notice.

The crash has sparked an outpouring of grief and support from both India and the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India expressed his "stunned and saddened" reaction to the tragedy, while UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the scenes emerging from Ahmedabad were "devastating." The UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the UK was working with local authorities in India to "urgently establish the facts" and provide support.

The crash is a significant blow to Air India, which has been facing increased scrutiny and financial pressures due to recent incidents. The airline's stock price has been volatile in recent months, and the crash may have a further impact on its financial performance. However, it is too early to assess the full extent of the financial implications.

References:
[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/air-india-plane-crash-survivor-reports-uk-citizen-vishwash-kumar-ramesh/
[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y5nq170z4o
[3] https://abcnews.go.com/International/air-india-plane-involved-incident-en-route-united/story?id=122762055
[4] https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c8d1r3m8z92t