By Ghazali Ibrahim 
In a harrowing twist of fate, a lone passenger survived the tragic Air India crash on Thursday that claimed the lives of 241 people.
Identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, the survivor was found disoriented and bloodied but alive after being thrown from the aircraft as it broke apart mid-air.
Doctors at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, where Ramesh is currently receiving treatment, described his survival as miraculous.
“He was disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body,” said Dr. Dhaval Gameti.
“But he seems to be out of danger.”
According to medics who spoke with him, Ramesh recalled that the aircraft began descending shortly after takeoff before it suddenly split in two.
“There was a loud explosion, and I was thrown out,” he reportedly said.
In video footage aired by Indian news channels, Ramesh covered in blood was seen walking away from the smoking wreckage, with bystanders rushing toward him.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and surreal.
Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Ramesh recounted waking up amid scattered wreckage and lifeless bodies.
“When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran,” he said.
Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed he had met Ramesh and praised emergency responders for their swift action.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also later met with Ramesh, a gesture that has drawn national attention to the sole survivor’s astonishing escape.
Ramesh had been traveling to London with his brother, who is feared dead.
His cousin, Ajay Valgi, told the BBC that the family is struggling to balance relief with grief.
“We’re happy that he’s OK, but we’re still upset about the other brother,” he said.
Nayan Kumar Ramesh, another relative, told Sky News that the survivor had video-called their father moments after the crash.
“He said, ‘Oh the plane’s crashed. I don’t know where my brother is. I don’t see any other passengers. I don’t know how I’m alive,’” Nayan recounted.
The cause of the crash is under investigation as the plane’s BlackBox has been recovered.
Air India has yet to release full details but confirmed that the ill-fated flight AI 171 was en route from Ahmedabad to London.
