Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the Air India plane crash that killed 260 people in June 2025, has called for “honesty, transparency and answers” one year after the disaster. The 39-year-old British national, who lost his brother in the incident, spoke about his ongoing psychological trauma and financial difficulties.
The crash occurred when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner struck a medical college shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. The flight, bound for London, carried 241 passengers and crew onboard, including 169 Indian nationals and 52 Britons. Additionally, 19 people on the ground were killed, and 67 others were seriously injured.
Unanswered questions
Ramesh demanded answers as investigators have yet to release their final report. India’s civil aviation minister stated last month that the investigation is in its “last stage” and that the report would “mostly” be completed by the anniversary of the crash on 12 June. A preliminary report released 30 days after the crash found that both fuel switches had moved to the “cut-off” position immediately after takeoff, cutting fuel supply to the engine.
“I live with the significant psychological scars, the loss of my brother, and the constant unanswered questions around how and why this happened,” Ramesh told the Press Association. “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.”
Financial and emotional hardship
Ramesh has received £21,500 from Air India to support his wife and five-year-old son, according to his representative, Sanjiv Patel. However, he continues to face financial hardship, psychological distress, and emotional challenges. “We’ve repeatedly asked to meet the chief executive of Air India but that has not happened,” Patel said. “We recently met with executives of Air India and representatives connected to the Tata Group [which has a controlling stake in the business]. Those discussions were constructive and have resulted in some positive progress, although a number of important issues remain under discussion.”
Due to the impact of the crash, Ramesh has been unable to return to work normally, and his family is living on less than £1,000 per month. He is also pursuing civil legal action. Patel noted, “Despite one of the worst aviation disasters involving British citizens in recent years, neither Vishwash nor many of the affected families we have spoken to have received any direct contact or tailored support from the UK government.”
Air India and legal response
An Air India spokesperson confirmed that representatives from the airline and Tata Group had met Ramesh and remain in “close contact” with him and his team. The company stated they are “actively working to ensure that appropriate support continues to be extended to him.”
Paul McClorry of Hudgell Solicitors said civil claims are being considered against several potential defendants. “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.
The UK Foreign Office has been approached for comment.
