In a harrowing tale of survival, a British man has emerged as the sole survivor of the devastating Air India crash that claimed the lives of at least 204 people shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on its way to London Gatwick.

Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who was seated in 11A on flight AI171, walked away from the wreckage in what his family is calling a miracle. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft went down less than a minute after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.

His brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, told BBC News, “He [Vishwashkumar] has no idea how he survived, how he got out of the plane. When he called us, he was just more worried about my other brother, like, ‘Find Ajay, find Ajay.’ That’s all he cares about at the moment.”

Mr Ramesh was seen in footage shared on social media walking away from the wreckage, visibly bloodied and shaken, as smoke billowed in the background. He later appeared in a hospital bed, where he was visited by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah. A relative told the PA news agency he had suffered facial injuries but was recovering well.

According to Air India, the London-bound flight was carrying 230 people, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. Authorities said 204 bodies have been recovered so far, with 41 people on the ground injured.

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed Mr Ramesh’s survival: “The police found one survivor in seat 11A. One survivor has been found in the hospital and is under treatment.”

The crash has sent shockwaves through families and communities across several countries. Among the British victims named were Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, and their daughter Sara, all confirmed by the Gloucester Muslim Society. Spiritual wellness practitioners Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, known for their work with London-based centre The Wellness Foundry, are also believed to be among the dead.

In Blackburn, Ammaarah Taju said her family is clinging to hope for her grandparents, Adam Taju, 72, and Hasina Taju, 70, and their son-in-law Altafhusen Patel, 51, who were all on the flight.

The aircraft crashed into accommodation reportedly used by doctors. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and Indian aviation authorities have launched a full investigation.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, King Charles III said he and Queen Camilla were “desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning.” The King extended his “deepest possible sympathy” to those affected across multiple nations.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was “absolutely devastating” and confirmed the UK government is still gathering information. “Our thoughts are with the families who are going to be absolutely devastated by this awful news,” he said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “heart-breaking beyond words.” UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that crisis response teams have been deployed in both the UK and India to assist affected families.

London Gatwick Airport announced a reception centre has been set up for relatives of passengers. In a post on X, the airport urged British nationals needing assistance to contact the Foreign Office.

Air India said flight AI171 departed at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT) and was due to arrive in London at 18:25 BST. A verified video shows the aircraft descending before exploding upon impact.

The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.