Authorities in India have confirmed that one individual has miraculously survived the devastating Air India plane crash that occurred earlier on Thursday, June 12.
The Air India flight AI 171 was scheduled to reach London Gatwick, with an anticipated arrival time of 6:25 pm UK local time.
The aircraft, however, crashed into a residential locale known as Meghani Nagar shortly after departing from Ahmedabad Airport in India.
Officials have also verified that the plane collided with a medical college hostel in the vicinity.
Air India reported that there were 242 passengers and crew on board. The airline stated: “Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national, and 7 Portuguese nationals.”
Initially, the police commissioner suggested there were no survivors, but it has since been confirmed that one man survived the crash.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik informed ANI: “The police found one survivor in seat 11A. One survivor has been found in the hospital and is under treatment.
“Cannot say anything about the number of deaths yet. The death toll may increase as the flight crashed in a residential area.”
The survivor has been identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British-Indian, and he has been speaking to local media about his experience.
In a conversation with the Hindustan Times, Ramesh recalled the moment, describing a ‘loud noise’ shortly after takeoff.
“It all happened so quickly,” he recounted. “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.”
Ramesh was seated in 11A during the flight, while his brother occupied a different row, as he told the Hindustan Times.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, the chairman of Air India, issued a statement, extending his sympathy to those impacted by the tragedy.
He stated: “With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India flight, AI171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.
“At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.”
“Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families.”
The Tata Group, Air India’s parent company, also issued a statement from Chandrasekaran, announcing plans to compensate the families of all on board and to cover medical expenses for the injured.