Bridge Collapse in Pune Claims Lives and Leaves Many Injured

Viswashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the tragic Air India crash that killed over 240 people, shared his harrowing experience on Friday, stating he could hardly believe he was alive. The 40-year-old, who was seated near an emergency exit, managed to escape through a broken hatch when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner exploded after plummeting onto a medical college hostel shortly after departing from Ahmedabad. Footage of Ramesh, appearing blood-stained and bruised, has circulated widely on Indian media, sparking discussions of a "miracle" associated with his seat. Ramesh, from Leicester in the UK, described the moment the plane seemed to stall mid-air before crashing, detailing feelings of rising engine thrust followed by the catastrophic descent. As he recalled the tragic event, he expressed disbelief at his survival, saying, “For some time I thought I was also going to die.” The crash is the deadliest aviation disaster in a decade, prompting extensive rescue operations to locate missing individuals and investigate the cause, with support from investigative teams including Boeing.

In a devastating event, an Air India plane traveling from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of 241 people, including passengers and crew, and potentially more on the ground. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171, went down in a residential area, impacting a hospital complex and a student hostel. A single passenger, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, survived and reported to local media that a loud noise erupted just moments after takeoff. According to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described the incident as "heartbreaking beyond words," officials have warned that the death toll may rise as recovery efforts continue, with 204 bodies retrieved so far. The crash occurred only thirty seconds post-departure as the aircraft, due to land at London's Gatwick Airport, issued a mayday call and lost contact with air traffic control. The crash has drawn international attention, prompting investigations by the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, in collaboration with US and UK transport authorities. In response to the tragedy, Tata Group has pledged approximately £86,000 ($109,000) to each victim's family.

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, with 242 individuals on board, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport on June 12, 2025, raising grave concerns over aviation safety in India. The flight, AI 171, was bound for London Gatwick and had 232 passengers and 10 crew members. According to reports, the aircraft fell from a height of 825 feet and exploded on impact at approximately 1:38 PM. Eyewitness footage captured the plane struggling to gain altitude before slamming into the ground in a massive fireball. Reports indicate that the pilot issued a mayday call shortly after take-off, but there was no further communication with air traffic controllers. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu expressed condolences on social media, stating, “My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families." Emergency services responded rapidly, with at least two dozen ambulances dispatched to the scene to assist injured individuals being transported to local hospitals. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that the aircraft was piloted by experienced personnel, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal with 8,200 flight hours, and first officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 hours.