ONE survivor walked away from the Air India aircraft that crashed at Ahmedabad airport earlier this morning (12), according to the latest reports from India.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, a UK national, was in seat 11A of the Air India Flight 171 bound for London Gatwick when it crashed shortly after take off from Ahmedabad with 242 people on board.
Initial reports suggested there were no survivors following the accident.
However, Kumar Ramesh was quoted as saying that seconds after take-off, “there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed”.
He told local media in India, “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.
“There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”
Two other British passengers believed to have been travelling on the aircraft were named as Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre and yoga studio in south London.
They spoke of their “magical experience” in India, adding they experienced “mind-blowing things”.
British Indian businessman Surinder Arora told Sky News a distant family member was on board the aircraft.
The UK government said it was sending a team to support the investigation into the Air India crash in Ahmedabad.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survivor of the Air India plane crash, in Ahmedabad. (PTI photo)
In a statement, the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it “has formally offered its assistance to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, India.
“We are deploying a multidisciplinary investigation team to India to support the Indian led investigation.”
Britain has set up crisis teams in Delhi and London to support the families of those on board the Air India Flight 171, foreign secretary David Lammy informed parliament.
“My thoughts and I’m sure those of the entire House are with those who have been affected by the tragic plane crash in India this morning,” Lammy told MPs.
“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.
The Tata Group said will provide Rs 10 million (£95,000) to the family of each person who died in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
In the message posted by Tata Group on X, the company said it will cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support.
"Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the BJ Medical's hostel,” Tata Group and Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran said.
"We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time," he said.
A US government agency that investigates civil aviation accidents said it would lead a team of American investigators to India to assist in the investigation of the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in a post on X that it will be “leading a team of US investigators travelling to India to assist the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau with its investigation into the crash of an Air India Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday.”
It added that as per international protocols under the International Civil Aviation Organisation, all information on the investigation will be provided by the Government of India.
FILE PHOTO: Vijay Rupani (L) with Narendra Modi (Photo: X/@narendramodi)
