On June 12, 2025, Air India flight AI171 tragically plunged from the sky just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The plane, carrying 242 people, crashed into a building in the city, leading to a devastating loss of life and leaving families desperate for answers. While investigations are still underway, the sole survivor of the crash Vishwash Kumar Ramesh is reliving terror-filled moments from his escape.
The accident took place just minutes after the plane had taken off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Eyewitnesses described a loud boom then smoke and fire as the aircraft pitched down in a steep descent. The aircraft’s tail ended up lodged in a local restaurant. This added difficulty made rescuing injured residents much harder and concerned many San Antonian residents.
Among those who boarded was 19-year-old student Sanket Gauswami, who was traveling to study at university in London. His mother, Sangeeta Gauswami, shared her deep pain and sorrow with the media.
“We keep asking but no one will tell us,” – Sangeeta Gauswami
With each update, families anxiously wondered and hoped for news about their loved ones. Simultaneously, authorities began collecting DNA samples from over 190 kin at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. These samples are important for providing answers to victims’ families as recovery operations continue at the crash site. The entire identification process might take 72 hours or more.
He is the sole survivor of this tragedy, and Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was discovered tangled in the debris. He then gave a wide-ranging interview to Indian state broadcaster DD News. In that moment, he opened up about the horrifying experiences he dealt with immediately following the crash.
“At first, I thought I was going to die… I realized I was still alive and saw an opening near my seat. I managed to unbuckle myself. I used my leg to push through the opening and crawled out,” – Vishwash Kumar Ramesh
In Ramesh’s own words, he stood amidst the pandemonium surrounding him while everyone else in the vicinity seemed completely unconscious, if not dead. His survival is a mystery to him and a lot of people.
“I still don’t understand how I’m alive,” – Vishwash Kumar Ramesh
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew to Ahmedabad to visit the crash site. During his subsequent visit to the site of that tragedy, he met with survivors and families of the victims. Whatever his visit accomplished, it was at least a gesture of comfort and mighty support to those affected by this shocking tragedy.
Families remain in a state of turmoil as they coordinate with authorities to find out more information regarding their missing relatives. Manisha Thapa’s mother shared her distress about her daughter’s absence.
“We speak daily. She had called to let me know we won’t be able to talk because she would be on a long flight,” – Manisha Thapa’s mother
Another relative, Sunny Kakadia, told us about how they were looking for their loved ones in an unthinkable situation.
“We’ve also been enquiring at other hospitals, running here and there; we haven’t even gotten the time to cry,” – Sunny Kakadia
As search and recovery operations continue, hope is fragile for the families of those still missing, just hoping to receive final news of their loved one. The untimely and tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the aviation community. It has deeply affected those who lost loved ones in this tragic collapse.
