A composite photo of the Air India plane crash on June 12, 2025 and the lone survivor.

The lone survivor of the tragic Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad has shared his harrowing experience, as India begins a formal investigation and the UAE extends heartfelt condolences over the loss of more than 260 lives. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin who had been visiting family in India, was the only passenger to survive the deadly crash of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for Gatwick. The flight, carrying 242 people including crew members, took off at 1:38pm on Thursday (June 12) and crashed minutes later. "Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly," Ramesh told Hindustan Times from his hospital bed at Civil Hospital, Asarwa. He sustained injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet. “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,” he said. He was in seat 11A, near one of the plane's emergency exits. Ramesh, who lives in London with his wife and child, said he was traveling with his 45-year-old brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, who remains missing. "We visited Diu. He was traveling with me and I can’t find him anymore. Please help me find him,” he pleaded. According to Air India, the passengers comprised of 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and a Canadian. It also carried two pilots and 10 crew members. As the search continued at hospitals and the crash site, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the injured and expressed deep sorrow. "The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families," he posted on X. The UAE also conveyed its condolences. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “The UAE expresses its solidarity and sincere condolences to the Republic of India over the victims of the Air India plane crash.” India has launched a full investigation, supported by the US National Transportation Safety Board and British air safety teams. The National Disaster Response Force increased its personnel at the crash site, with 81 bodies recovered as of June 13. One of two black boxes have also been recovered. ICA/Expat Media
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