Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 39, the sole survivor of Air India Flight AI171, speaks about the unimaginable loss and trauma following the June 12, 2025, crash.
The Crash that “Took all my happiness”
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into B J Medical College shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, killing 241 people, including dozens on the ground. Among the dead were 169 Indian nationals and 52 British nationals. One of whom was Vishwash Kumar’s younger brother, Ajay, 35 years old.
The brothers ran a fishing business in Dui, India, and had been seated just rows apart, Vishwashkumar in seat 11a and Ajay just a few seats away from his older brother. Their business has since collapsed.
Reflecting upon the tragedy, Ramesh has said:
I lost everything – my happiness. God gave me life but took all my happiness, and from my family.
Living with Trauma
Upon returning to his home in Leicester, Ramesh has been struggling with severe PTSD and Insomnia. Receiving support from his family, whilst he has been overwhelmed by the emotional toll the trauma has caused.
He has said:
I get flashbacks all the time, I just stay awake, I sleep maybe three to four hours. Yes it’s a miracle I surviced, but I lost everything, I lost my brother, I’m broken.
He added:
My mother, father and my younger brother totally broke down, like mentally. And also me – mentally, physically.
Ramesh remains cut off, isolating himself from others, staying in his room, sitting on his bed, and thinking. Advisers have said that he has been unable to speak to his wife and 4-year-old son.
Compensation for a Priceless Loss
Air India offered an interim compensation of £21,500 to Ramesh, which he has accepted; however, it is not enough to meet his immediate needs.
A spokesperson for the family, Mr Seiger, has said that the family have tried to reach out to Air India and organise a meeting; however, they have been refused or simply ignored by the airline. Recent media interviews have been a fourth public appeal for a meeting.
Has Air India done enough to compensate for the tragic losses that happened in June? Has there been any concrete closure regarding the crash? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
