A passenger saved his life by jumping, is this why the plane crashed? Miracle Survivor Amidst Ashes: The Untold Story of Ahmedabad’s Deadliest Air Crash

.

.

Imagine sitting calmly on an international flight, ready to watch a movie on your phone, when suddenly, just 30 seconds after takeoff, a deafening roar fills the cabin. The plane, instead of climbing steadily into the sky, begins to plummet uncontrollably toward the ground. Passengers scream, children cry, and the silence of death envelops the aircraft. This is not a scene from a disaster movie but the horrifying reality that unfolded on June 12, 2025, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat, when an Air India Dreamliner crashed moments after takeoff, claiming 241 lives out of 240 passengers and crew onboard—yes, 241 lives lost in a flight with 240 people, due to an additional fatality on the ground.

The Flight and the Crash

The ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad Airport at 1:38 PM, destined for London. Onboard were 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including 20 business class travelers and 38 in premium economy. The weather was clear, the runway was free, and no technical alerts had been reported. Everything seemed normal.

But 34 seconds after takeoff, a loud noise erupted from the aircraft’s undercarriage. Passengers felt the plane shudder violently. Panic set in as the aircraft suddenly banked sharply to the left and began descending rapidly, as if pulled down by an invisible force. The pilots sent a desperate emergency signal, repeating the word “Mayday” over the radio. Then, silence.

The plane crashed directly into Section B of a medical college hostel building in Ahmedabad, where about 40 students were having lunch or standing nearby, oblivious to the impending disaster. CCTV footage captured the plane’s sudden tilt and its catastrophic impact on the hostel’s roof, followed by a massive explosion and fire that engulfed the building. Flames shot several floors high, windows shattered, and debris scattered over 500 meters.

The Horrifying Aftermath

Rescue teams arrived to a scene of unimaginable horror: burning bodies, thick smoke, and screams of agony. Firefighters battled the blaze for two hours before gaining control, but by then, every person inside the wreckage had perished—except one.

The Miracle Survivor: Vishwas Kumar Ramesh

Among the devastation, a miracle emerged. Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, seated at 11A, was the sole survivor. Severely burned and trapped under debris, he was found alive, gasping for help. When he regained consciousness in the ICU, he could only say, “I don’t understand what happened. Everything happened within seconds. When I opened my eyes, all I saw was fire. My seat was stuck under rubble. If the seat had been on the left side, I would have died too.”

His survival has been hailed as nothing short of miraculous. Despite severe burns and fractures, Vishwas’s story has gone viral, symbolizing a glimmer of hope amidst overwhelming tragedy.

The Investigation: What Went Wrong?

Preliminary reports from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India revealed critical technical failures during takeoff. The plane’s landing gear remained extended, and the flap system began retracting at the wrong time. Flaps are crucial for generating lift during takeoff, and their premature retraction drastically reduced lift, causing the plane to lose altitude.

Compounding the problem was a reported explosion in engine number two, leading to power loss on one side and destabilizing the aircraft’s balance. The pilots attempted an emergency landing, but the plane was traveling too fast and was over a densely populated residential area, resulting in the fatal crash into the medical college hostel.

The Human Toll: Lives Lost and Families Shattered

Among the victims was former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, traveling to London for an event. His body was so badly burned that identification was possible only through dental records and DNA testing. His security officer and personal assistant also perished in the crash.

Seventeen medical students in the hostel were killed instantly, turning a place of learning and hope into a scene of death and destruction.

Official Response and Compensation

Air India’s chairman called the crash the worst tragedy in the airline’s history, announcing compensation of ₹50 lakh (5 million INR) to each victim’s family. The Tata Group, Air India’s parent company, pledged ₹1 crore (10 million INR) per family and full medical treatment for the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow and ordered immediate relief efforts, while Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site, describing the fire as so intense that rescue was impossible once the blaze started. DNA testing was initiated to identify victims and provide closure to grieving families.

Global Impact and Solidarity

The tragedy also resonated internationally, particularly in the UK, where over 50 passengers were British citizens. Vigils and candlelight marches were held in temples and community centers across the UK, demanding answers and justice.

The Road Ahead: Safety and Accountability

A high-level committee including DGCA, Air India, Boeing, and international experts was formed to investigate the crash thoroughly. Authorities suspect a bird strike may have caused the engine failure, triggering a chain of technical malfunctions.

The committee aims to prevent such disasters in the future and hold accountable anyone responsible for negligence.

Remembering the Victims

This crash is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the enormous responsibility borne by those who operate our skies. The victims were not just passengers and crew; they were sons and daughters, students and professionals, leaders and dreamers.