12-6-2025
The lone survivor of the Air India Boeing 787-8 crash Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, has spoken about the last moments before the aircraft landed in a ball of fire shortly after takeoff.
Ramesh, who is a British citizen, was lucky to be plucked out of the debris of the crash that killed all other passengers, the aircrew and other persons on the ground.
“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” Ramesh told local reporters from his hospital bed.“
When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”
Meanwhile Air India said they would give $116,000 to families of the passengers that lost their lives in the crash.
Tata Group owners of Air India said it would also cover the medical expenses of those injured after the plane.
In a statement posted on X, the company said: “We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171. No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured.
“Tata Group will provide 1 crore rupees to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy.
“We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support. Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the B J Medical’s hostel.
“We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time.”