Updated June 13, 2025, 4:56 AM EDT
Rescue teams are actively searching the wreckage of the Air India passenger plane that crashed near Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff, killing 241 out of 242 onboard. The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner heading to London, collided with a medical college dormitory, complicating rescue operations.
Of those onboard, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese. The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian descent, was rescued with injuries but is in stable condition at a hospital. Despite the trauma, Ramesh recounted that he escaped through a broken emergency hatch after the aircraft hit a medical college.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with Ramesh at the hospital, expressing condolences and support. Modi described the scene as ‘saddening’ and said, ‘Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.’
Investigation efforts are ongoing with authorities searching for debris to determine the crash’s cause. However, the black boxes’ recovery status has not been officially confirmed.
Separately, an Air India flight made an emergency landing in Thailand following a bomb threat, highlighting ongoing security concerns. Authorities in India have reported about 1,000 hoax bomb threats in the past year, emphasizing the heightened alertness at airports across the country.
Rescue efforts include sniffer dogs and extensive personnel working tirelessly to recover bodies and identify victims. The incident has prompted national mourning and calls for improved aviation safety measures.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on understanding why this tragic accident occurred and preventing future incidents. The story of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh’s survival offers a rare glimpse into the chaos and hope amidst disaster.