Mixed emotions for sole Air India crash survivor as miraculous escape is overshadowed by brother’s death

LEICESTER, June 14 — The family of the sole survivor of the Air India crash is grappling with mixed emotions — immense relief over his miraculous escape and deep sorrow over the loss of his brother.

“We’re grateful that Vishwash survived, but devastated about Ajay,” a cousin told AFP outside the family’s home in central Leicester.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, is believed to be the only survivor of Air India Flight 171, which crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad, India. His brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, who was also on board, is feared to be among the victims. The flight was carrying 242 passengers and crew, including 53 British national

Officials reported that at least 24 people on the ground were killed when the aircraft crashed into a school canteen during lunchtime.

Since the tragic crash on Thursday, the Leicester street where the Ramesh family resides has seen a steady stream of visitors offering support.

Vishwash lives nearby with his wife and son, while Ajay, who also lived in Leicester, ran a confectionery business with him. The two brothers had just returned from a holiday in India.

“They were incredible people — the best I’ve ever known,” said 19-year-old cousin Hiren Kantilal.

The family had planned to collect the brothers at Gatwick Airport and were stunned when Vishwash, who had been seated in 11A, called his father shortly after the crash to say he had survived. Ajay had been seated further down the same row.

“He was bleeding from his face but said, ‘Don’t worry about me, just try to find Ajay Kumar.’ He kept saying, ‘I’m totally fine,’” Kantilal recounted.

Ramesh reportedly searched for his brother for 10 to 15 minutes before emergency services took him to a hospital.

Images of Ramesh walking away from the wreckage of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner quickly spread across social media and were featured prominently in UK news coverage. He was later seen in a hospital bed recovering from burns and other injuries.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ramesh in the hospital, according to footage posted on his official YouTube channel.

“Everything unfolded before my eyes, and I still can’t believe I made it out alive,” Ramesh told India’s DD News from his hospital bed, speaking in Hindi.

On the day of the crash, the family had tried to contact Ajay repeatedly. “The phone was ringing, but no one picked up,” said Kantilal.

Back at the family home, relatives were urgently trying to book flights to Ahmedabad later that day.