Sole survivor of Air India crash still seeks answers

The sole survivor of the Air India plane crash has called for "honesty, transparency and answers" about what caused the disaster a year ago.

London-bound Flight 171 went down shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad in western India on 12 June 2025.

Vishwarkumar Ramesh, from Leicester, was the only person who survived the tragedy, which claimed 260 lives, including his brother Ajay. He walked away from the wreckage in extraordinary scenes that amazed the world.

A spokesperson for Air India said the airline remained "committed to supporting every individual impacted by the tragedy with care and compassion".

Ramesh said he continued to "live with the significant psychological scars" following the death of his brother in the crash.

He said losing his sibling "took all my happiness" following the "miracle" of his own survival.

In a short statement marking the anniversary, Ramesh said: "What many people perhaps don't fully appreciate is that the trauma didn't end on the day of the disaster.

"I live with the significant psychological scars, the loss of my brother, and the constant unanswered questions around how and why this happened.

"I know those questions are not just on my mind - they are on the minds of every affected family.

"More than anything, people need honesty, transparency and answers. Nothing will ever change what happened, but families deserve clarity."

Investigators have yet to publish their final findings into the cause of the crash.

A preliminary report into the incident from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau found both of the plane's fuel switches moved to the "cut-off" position "immediately" after take-off, stopping fuel supply to the engine.

Ramesh's representative Sanjiv Patel said the survivor had to date received £21,500 from Air India to support his wife and five-year-old son - an interim payment provided to all families who lost loved ones in the disaster.

He added Ramesh continued to struggle "physically, psychologically and financially" and they had "repeatedly asked" to meet the chief executive of Air India but that had not taken place.

"We recently met with executives of Air India and representatives connected to the Tata Group," Patel said.

"Those discussions were constructive and have resulted in some positive progress, although a number of important issues remain under discussion."

He added Ramesh's family continued to face "significant financial hardship" and due to the impact of the crash, he had been unable to return to work.

"They're not alone. Despite one of the worst aviation disasters involving British citizens in recent years, neither Viswash nor many of the affected families we have spoken to have received any direct contact or tailored support from the UK government," he said.

The PA news agency said Ramesh was taking civil action following the crash, with his legal team saying: "We will be examining every detail of the air accident investigations."

Paul McClorry, from Hudgell Solicitors, said civil claims were being considered against a number of potential defendants.

In a statement he said there had been "significant dialogue" between the law firm and legal representatives for Air India, who had been "very cooperative".

"We are awaiting the findings of the investigations, and we should finally start to see some clarity as to how and why this awful disaster happened, and, crucially, how it could have been avoided," he said.

"Lessons clearly must be learnt, and for that to happen there needs to be complete transparency and a willingness to accept responsibility."

A spokesperson for Air India said it could not discuss the specifics of any individual case but said representatives from Air India and the Tata Group met Ramesh and had a "constructive" engagement.

"The discussions provided insight into Mr Ramesh's needs and concerns, enabling a clearer understanding of how best to support him," they said.

"We remain in close contact with Mr Ramesh and his representatives and are actively working to ensure that appropriate support continues to be extended to him."

The Foreign Office has been approached for comment.

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