Plane crash survivor Vishwash Ramesh, 40, is grappling with the emotional aftermath of the Air India AI171 tragedy, which claimed 279 lives, including that of his beloved brother Ajay. Speaking publicly for the first time, the sole survivor from the ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash described his survival as nothing short of a “miracle” and expressed deep survivor’s guilt that continues to haunt him.
😢 Vishwash Wanted To Sit Beside His Brother
Vishwash and Ajay had boarded the Air India flight together. He had tried to reserve seats beside each other in Row 11 near the emergency exit. However, only seat 11A was available, forcing Ajay to sit at 11J, across the aisle.
Tragically, Vishwash survived, while Ajay perished in the crash.
“I tried to get two seats together, but someone had already taken one. If we had sat together, maybe we both would have made it,” Vishwash said tearfully.
🚬 The Crash: A Moment That Changed Everything
Vishwash recalled the horrifying moments before the crash:
- Flickering lights
- No altitude gain
- Pilot’s distress call: *”No thrust… May Day… May Day”
- A massive explosion as the aircraft crashed into a building near the airport
“Everything was visible in front of my eyes. I thought I was going to die,” he said.
He somehow found an opening in the broken fuselage and crawled out, making him the only one from the plane to survive.
🥺 Vishwash’s Guilt And Pain
Though physically safe, Vishwash is emotionally devastated.
“I lost my brother in front of my eyes. I keep thinking, ‘Why couldn’t I save him?’ I wish I was not alive.”
He had attempted to return to the wreckage to find Ajay but was pulled back by rescuers.
🇮🇳 Recovery In Hometown Diu
Vishwash, a resident of Leicester, UK, is now recovering in his hometown of Diu, a coastal village in India. There, he had run a two-boat fishing business with Ajay, passed down from their father. With the fishing season ending due to the monsoon, they were returning to the UK when tragedy struck.
🌟 A Community In Mourning
The village of Diu has been left shattered. Ajay was among 15 people from the tiny island who died in the crash. Vishwash’s friends and family are heartbroken but also grateful for his miraculous escape.
“He is a great family man and deeply loved his wife and son. Every day he would call them twice,” said a childhood friend.
🙏 PM Modi Visits Survivor In Hospital
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Vishwash during his recovery at Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. He was later discharged and reunited with his grieving family.
⚡ Recap: The Tragic Air India AI171 Crash
- Date: June 12, 2025
- Flight: Air India AI171 to London
- Fatalities: 279, including 241 onboard and others on the ground
- Cause: Sudden loss of engine thrust, under investigation
- Sole Survivor: Vishwash Ramesh
😔 Final Thoughts
Vishwash’s story is both a testament to the human will to survive and a reminder of the unbearable weight of loss. While the world hails his escape as miraculous, his pain runs deep with the haunting memories of that day and the loved one he couldn’t save.
We send heartfelt condolences to all the families affected by the AI171 crash.