After Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was confirmed to have survived the plane crash in India, crowds gathered at the family home to get an update on his brother who is feared to have died
Huge crowds gathered outside the UK home of the sole survivor of today’s tragic plane crash awaiting news on his brother’s condition this afternoon. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, miraculously escaped alive, while his older brother Ajay Kumar Ramesh, 45, is feared dead.
The two brothers were on their way back to the UK after visiting family. Vishwash, who is a British citizen, spoke to his family after the crash and, after confirming he had escaped alive, he expressed his concern for his brother Ajay. He said he suffered “impact injuries” on his chest, eyes and feet and told a medic at the hospital where he is being treated that immediately after the plane took off, it began descending and suddenly split in two.
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Prior to Air India confirming 241 out of 242 people on board had died, people had gathered at the Ramesh family home in Leicester, awaiting news on Ajay.
One of the four Ramesh brothers is 27-year-old Nayan Ramesh, who remained at home with the rest of his family whilst Vishwash and Ajay went on holiday. Nayan told Leicestershire Live outside the family home: “We don’t have any new updates on Ajay at the moment. We’ve had a video call with Vishwash now, but we all just want some news, any news at all, on Ajay.
“Vishwash is fine, but he’s not worried about himself at all. He’s just worried about his brother. We’ve had a lot of relatives come here to support us and we’re all just waiting for news. They’d both just gone on vacation.” Tragically, in an update this evening, the airline confirmed that Vishwash was the only survivor of the crash and all the other passengers and crew died.
The airline said in a statement on X: “Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident. The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew.
“The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital. The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national. The survivor is a British national of Indian origin.
“Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones. A team of caregivers from Air India is now in Ahmedabad to provide additional support. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.
“Air India has also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call on +91 8062779200.”