A British passenger has been confirmed as the sole survivor of a deadly Air India crash that left over 241 people dead.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik told news agency ANI that one person emerged alive from the wreckage of the London-bound Boeing 787-8.
The survivor had been seated in 11A, according to the passenger manifest released by authorities.
The seat was assigned to Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national. Indian media outlets reported speaking to Mr Ramesh in hospital, where he recounted the harrowing moments after take-off.
“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” he said.
According to local reports, Mr Ramesh also provided his boarding pass to confirm his identity and seat number.
Commissioner Malik confirmed to ANI that the survivor “has been in the hospital and is under treatment”.
Air India stated the flight was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. The aircraft crashed into residential accommodation for doctors less than a minute after departure from Ahmedabad.
In a statement following the tragedy, King Charles and Queen Camilla expressed their sorrow over the loss of life: “We are desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning. Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones.”
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that crisis response teams had been mobilised both in India and the UK.
“We know that British nationals were on board and I can confirm that the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) is working urgently with local authorities to support British nationals and their families, and has stood up a crisis team in both Delhi and in London,” he said.
Air India has confirmed that 241 of the 242 passengers and crew on the London-bound flight have died. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital.
