Survivor Recounts Horrifying Ordeal in Aftermath of Air India Tragedy

Survivor's Account

A British survivor on Air India flight 171 has spoken out about the final moments before the crash in Ahmedabad. Speaking to India media channel ANI on a phone call, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik said: "The police found one survivor in seat 11A. One survivor has been found in the hospital and is under treatment. "Cannot say anything about the number of deaths yet. The death toll may increase as the flight crashed in a residential area," Malik added, reports The Express.

Harrowing Experience

The surviving passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, told the Hindustani Times: "Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly." Mr Ramesh, who has lived in London for 20 years and was in India for a few days to visit family, reportedly suffered "impact injuries" on his chest, eyes, and feet. "When I got up, there were bodies all around me," he added. "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."

Search for Loved One

Mr Ramesh was returning to the UK with his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, 45, on the flight. It is believed that he was seated in a different row on the plane. "We visited Diu. He was travelling with me and I can't find him anymore. Please help me find him," Mr Ramesh said. The Express understands that staff at the Indian High Commission in London are working "flat out" to attend queries from the families of the crash victims. The team is following a procedure of gathering the most relevant information from authentic sources.

Relief Efforts

Air India has said it is organizing two relief flights to Ahmedabad for families of the passengers involved in the plane crash and airline staff. The airline is sending return flights from Delhi and Mumbai that will arrive at 11pm local time and depart shortly after 1am on Friday. The airline said: "Next of kin of passengers and staff in Delhi and Mumbai wanting to travel on these flights can call our hotline on 1800 5691 444. Additionally, those coming in from international destinations and wanting to travel can call our hotline on +91 8062779200."