June 12, 2025, remains a dark day in the history of Indian aviation. Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787 carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members from Ahmedabad to London, crashed into a medical college hostel building just 32 seconds after takeoff. The horrific disaster claimed the lives of 241 people on board, along with numerous medical students on the ground. However, one man miraculously survived the catastrophic crash—Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, an Indian origin resident of London. Marking the first anniversary of the tragedy, Ramesh shared his heart-wrenching ordeal, expressing that while he survived the crash, the lingering trauma makes him feel like he is dying every single day.
Speaking to the national media, Ramesh opened up about the invisible scars and agonizing battles he fights within the four walls of his home. He revealed that while the world only sees his survival as a miracle, his daily life is plagued by severe anxiety, sleepless nights, and haunting memories of the disaster. Ramesh, who tragically lost his brother in the same crash, stated that he faces immense financial, physical, and psychological hardships as he attempts to rebuild his life and support his family. According to his family advisor, Sanjeev Patel, Ramesh suffers from extreme mental agony and cannot even step out of his house without assistance—trauma that may last a lifetime.
Demanding transparency and clear answers for all the affected families, Ramesh emphasized that his pain is shared by everyone who lost loved ones in the disaster. Seeking justice and civil claims, he has approached a UK-based legal firm, Hudgell Solicitors. While the firm reviews his case, discussions are also ongoing with Air India representatives regarding rehabilitation support. In response, an Air India spokesperson stated that the airline remains fully committed to supporting everyone affected by the Ahmedabad tragedy. Nonetheless, for Ramesh and countless others, the scale of the loss remains unimaginable as they navigate this grueling path of survival and grief.
