Ahmedabad, India – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a sombre visit on Friday to the only survivor of a devastating plane crash that claimed 241 lives, including dozens of British nationals.
The survivor, 28-year-old Vishwashkumar Ramesh, is being treated at a government hospital in Ahmedabad. Doctors say he remains in critical condition but is stable.
The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, crashing into a building at a nearby medical college. The aircraft was headed for London.
The tragedy marks one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s recent history and the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 in the country.
“A National Tragedy”
“This is a moment of profound grief for the entire nation,” Mr Modi told reporters outside the hospital. “We will not rest until we understand what went wrong and ensure accountability.”
Emergency workers spent hours combing through the wreckage, where fire crews battled flames and thick smoke. The impact of the crash flattened part of the building, killing several people on the ground as well.
Air India has confirmed that all passengers and crew on board, apart from Mr Ramesh, perished in the accident. The flight manifest included at least 67 British nationals, making it one of the deadliest air disasters involving UK citizens in recent memory.
Aviation experts and accident investigators from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), as well as Boeing officials, are now on-site. Authorities say the black box flight recorders have been recovered and sent for analysis.
“We are looking at all possible angles,” said Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. “Mechanical failure, human error, weather nothing is being ruled out at this stage.”
Grief Across Two Nations
In London, Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed condolences to the families of those lost. “We are in close contact with Indian authorities and stand ready to assist,” he said. The British High Commission in New Delhi has established a helpline for affected families.
Back in India, vigils have been held in several cities, with mourners lighting candles and laying flowers outside Air India offices.
“Every life lost is a family shattered,” said Meera Desai, a local resident who joined a memorial in Ahmedabad on Friday evening. “We want answers, not just sympathy.”
Flight Safety Under Scrutiny
The crash has renewed scrutiny over aircraft maintenance and flight operations at Indian airports. Though the Boeing 787 known as the Dreamliner is considered one of the safest long-haul planes globally, this incident could trigger fresh concerns for regulators and passengers alike.
Boeing, still recovering from earlier controversies involving its 737 Max model, has issued a statement pledging full cooperation with the investigation.
“Our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragic accident,” the company said. “We are supporting Air India and Indian authorities in every way possible.”
As the investigation begins and the nation grieves, Ramesh’s survival has become a rare point of hope. Hospital staff say he suffered multiple fractures and internal injuries, but his condition is slowly improving.
Prime Minister Modi, who visited Ramesh at his bedside, held his hand and spoke briefly with his family.
“In the face of such unimaginable loss, we are reminded of the resilience of the human spirit,” Modi said. “Let this be the last time such a tragedy darkens our skies.”
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