 |
| British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh( Photo Curtesy: Hindustan Times) |
A man survived the Air India crash that killed at least 200 people, a police chief has told an Indian news agency.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik told ANI there was one survivor who was in seat 11A on the London-bound Boeing 787-8 flight - a seat the flight manifest shared by authorities said was occupied by British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh.
According to Ajay Valgi, his Leicester cousin, Mr. Ramesh called his family to say he was "fine," but he does not know where his brother Ajay, who was also on the plane, is. Nayan Kumar Ramesh, Mr. Ramesh's brother, stated that he has "no idea" how he got out of the plane.
"I last spoke with him in the morning yesterday. We're devastated, just devastated," he said from the family home in Leicester.
He stated, "He said I don't know how I got out of the plane." Jay, a relative, told the PA news agency that Mr. Ramesh asked his father, "Where's Ajay?" after the accident because he was worried about his brother. "He's got some injuries on his face. The relative stated, "He was blood-stained." "He's doing well I think. It really surprised me." Mr. Ramesh was captured on social media walking toward an ambulance while smoke billowed in the background. According to the Indian media, Mr. Ramesh gave away his boarding pass, which included his name and seat number. He has a wife and child. The BBC understands he was born in India, but has lived in the UK for many years.
Commissioner Malik told ANI the survivor "has been in the hospital and is under treatment".
He told the BBC that 41 people were being treated for injuries and that 204 bodies had been recovered. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian on the London Gatwick Airport-bound flight, Air India said.
The Gloucester Muslim Society has identified Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, and their daughter Sara as the three Britons who are believed to have perished on the flight. Within less than a minute of takeoff, the aircraft collided with a medical facility.
"Desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning," the King declared in a statement. The statement went on to say, "Our special prayers and deepest sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones." The crash was described as "devastating" by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and as "heart-breaking beyond words" by Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. David Lammy, the UK's foreign secretary, has set up crisis teams in India and the UK. London Gatwick Airport confirmed that it was working closely with Air India and was establishing a reception center where relatives of passengers could get information. "British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call 0207 008 5000" was the message that was displayed on X.
 |
| Photo Credit: BBC News. |
According to Air India, flight AI171 departed the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT). It was scheduled to land at London Gatwick at 18:25 BST.
One video verified by the BBC shows the plane descending before a large explosion as it hits the ground.
Source: BBC NEWS.
Posts
0 Comments