Of the 242 people on board, only one survived—British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh. “I don’t believe how I survived,” he told local reporters from his hospital bed. “I tried to unbuckle myself and escape from where I could… it was in front of my eyes that the air hostess and others died.” He managed to crawl out through a broken hatch, suffering only minor burns and bruises. His brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, was also on the flight and is still unaccounted for.
Air India confirmed the crash on social media, while the UK’s Foreign Office said they are supporting affected families. Among the British victims were multiple families from Gloucester, Blackburn, and London.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with the lone survivor. Former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, also died in the crash, adding to the national grief.
As investigations continue into the cause of the accident, communities in both India and the UK are coming together in sorrow. In Wellingborough, neighbors are lighting candles and remembering Raxa Modha—a devoted grandmother whose final journey was one of love, now tragically cut short.