Management of Air India has confirmed that British national, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, was the sole survivor of the airline’s ill-fated London-bound flight that crashed during takeoff on Thursday.
The airline confirmed this in a social media post hours after the crash, stating that Mr Ramesh, a British citizen of Indian origin, was the only survivor out of the 242 passengers and crew members who were aboard the flight destined for London Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom.
“Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident,” the airline said. “The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 p.m., carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew.”
The statement added, “We regret to inform you that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital.”
The incident occurred in the Indian western city of Ahmedabad on Thursday morning, with the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which was on a flight to London, crashing into a residential building housing intern doctors less than five minutes after takeoff.
Among the passengers aboard were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britians, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian.
Meanwhile, the management of the airline said its team of special caregivers have arrived in Ahmedabad to assist staff on ground and local authorities in investigating the incident.
“A special team of caregivers from Air India has arrived in Ahmedabad to provide support to our teams on ground. We are working with local authorities to provide necessary assistance and are extending full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident,” the airline said.
