In a shocking turn of events that has both stunned and amazed the world, a 40-year-old man, Ramesh Viswashkumar, has emerged as the only survivor of the tragic Air India crash that took 241 lives shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad.
The incident, now referred to by many as the “miracle of seat 11A” has captured global attention not just for the tragedy, but for the extraordinary twist of fate tied to the number 11A.
The British citizen of Indian origin had boarded Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, heading to London Gatwick.
However, within minutes of liftoff, the plane crashed into a medical college hostel, bursting into flames and destroying large parts of the aircraft and nearby buildings.
Authorities have described the accident as one of the most devastating aviation disasters in India’s recent history.
From his hospital bed at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, a dazed and emotional Viswashkumar shared his account.
“I don’t believe how I survived.
For some time, I thought I was also going to die,” he told DD News.
“But when I opened my eyes, I realised I was alive and I tried to unbuckle myself from the seat and escape from where I could.”
Viswashkumar had been seated in 11A, located beside the emergency exit.
According to their findings, the aircraft’s body broke apart near that section, creating a narrow space that allowed him to crawl out.
“The side of the plane I was in landed on the ground, and I could see that there was space outside the aircraft,” he recalled. “So when my door broke, I tried to escape through it, and I did.”
Footage that surfaced online shows Viswashkumar limping through the streets wounded, barefoot, and in shock.
The video quickly went viral, showing a man who had just cheated death in the most unbelievable way.
Medical staff at the hospital have confirmed that his condition is stable.
“His escape… and without any grievous injury, was nothing short of a miracle. He also realises that and is a bit shaken by the trauma of it too,” a hospital official shared with Reuters.
Meanwhile, a surprising connection has emerged from a similar plane crash that occurred over two decades ago.
Thai singer Ruangsak Loychusak, who survived a 1998 crash of Thai Airways Flight TG261, revealed he had also been sitting in seat 11A.
The crash had claimed 101 lives out of 146 on board, leaving just 45 survivors. Loychusak was one of them.
Reacting to the recent Air India disaster, the singer posted on Facebook:
“I had goosebumps when I saw it. The lone survivor of the plane crash in India was sitting in the same seat number as me — 11A. I want to offer my condolences to all those who lost loved ones in the tragedy.”
In a past interview with Bangkok Post, Loychusak had reflected on his emotional journey after surviving his crash.
“The sound of the crash, the smell of burning, even the taste of the swamp water I remember it all,” he said.
“If I saw dark clouds or a rainstorm outside, I would feel terrible, like I was in hell.”
This strange and emotional link between two plane crashes, decades and miles apart, has sparked conversations online.
