The only survivor of last week's Air India plane tragedy, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, attended the heartfelt funeral of his brother Ajay, who was also on the ill-fated flight that claimed a staggering 270 lives. The emotional ceremony took place in Diu, western India, where Ramesh, visibly shaken and still bandaged from his injuries, served as a pallbearer for Ajay's coffin.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (flight AI171) tragically crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Witnesses describe the intense storm that accompanied the funeral procession, with many locals coming together to support Ramesh and his grieving family.
Amidst heavy rain, the somber procession moved through the town, with Ramesh's mother accompanying the coffin clad in a traditional blue sari. Despite enduring a harrowing experience and the loss of fourteen others from their community, Ramesh displayed immense resilience during the funeral. It's still a mystery how he managed to escape the burning wreckage.
In the chaotic aftermath of the crash, Ramesh attempted to return to the flames to find his brother, an act of desperation noted by first responders. Ambulance driver Satinder Singh Sandhu recounted guiding Ramesh away from danger, unaware that he was saving the lone survivor.
After being rescued, Ramesh grappled with the trauma of the immediate aftermath and was later hospitalized for his injuries. In a poignant reflection, he remarked on his survival: "For a moment, I felt like I was going to die too... I still can’t believe how I survived."
Investigations into the cause of the crash are currently underway, with authorities analyzing flight data recorders. This catastrophe has left a profound mark on the communities impacted, marking an unprecedented tragedy in Indian aviation history.
