A British national has survived an Air India passenger jet that killed more than 240 people.
Viswash Kumar Ramesh, 40, was returning home after visiting family in India when the crash occurred, per the Daily Wire. Ramesh’s brother was also in the flight.
Ramesh, who was sitting near an emergency exit, was able to get out of the plane and put in an ambulance. He explained what happened when the plane went down.
“As soon as the flight took off, within 30 seconds it crashed. There was no warning from the pilot or the crew members about the crash. When I found myself alive after the crash, I saw bodies ripped apart,” Ramesh said to the Hindustan Times. “My leg was injured but I ran as fast as I could.”
Ramesh’s cousin, Ajay Valgi, said Ramesh was able to notify his family he was “fine.” The family does not know what happened to Ramesh’s brother, per to the BBC.
The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route to Gatwick Airport in Britain. It took off from an airport in Ahmedabad, per the Daily Wire.
Most of the passengers were Indian; 53 were British; and eight were from Portugal and Canada.
Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, spoke about the tragedy.
“The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected,” Modi said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said British and Indian authorities are investigating the crash.
“The images and news from India is absolutely devastating, and I speak for the entire country saying our thoughts are with each and every one of those involved. There will be British and Indian families across the land who are absolutely impacted by this, and our thoughts first and foremost are with them,” Starmer said.
