Sole Survivor of Air India Crash Honors Late Brother at Heartbreaking Funeral

Vishwashkumar Ramesh attended his brother Ajay's funeral, marking a devastating moment after he survived an Air India plane crash that claimed the lives of at least 270 people. Witnesses remembered his brave but futile attempts to re-enter the wreckage searching for family, while the investigation into the accident's cause continues.

Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national and the only survivor of last week's catastrophic Air India plane crash, paid a somber tribute to his late brother Ajay by carrying his coffin during an emotional funeral held in Diu, a coastal town in western India. Ramesh, still recovering from his injuries—his arms and face covered in bandages—stood alongside mourners as they honored the victims of the crash, which occurred just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 270 lives, including many passengers and crew members.

Despite the rain that fell on the funeral procession, the local community rallied to support the Ramesh family, many of whom were also affected by the incident, with 14 residents of Diu reported to have lost their lives in the same crash. Ramesh's mother, dressed in a blue sari, walked alongside her son as they carried their loved one to his final resting place, encapsulating the profound sense of loss shared by family and friends.

In a remarkable survival story, Ramesh's escape from the flaming wreckage remains unexplained, but eyewitnesses recounted his desperate attempts to return to the burning aircraft in search of his brother. A nearby ambulance driver, Satinder Singh Sandhu, who played a pivotal role in guiding Ramesh to safety, expressed that he was unaware of Ramesh's identity at the time. Their connection only became apparent once the news reported on the incident later that day.

Ramesh recounted his survival experience, emphasizing his shock at being alive amid the devastation. He described the disorienting moment when he realized that he had survived and struggled to comprehend the loss of his brother. As investigations unfold to determine the precise cause of the accident, the focus remains on the emotional aftermath for families affected and the supportive responses from the local community.

As the investigation into this tragic incident continues, authorities are diligently examining the recovered cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder—collectively known as the black boxes—to uncover the events leading to the crash. The loss continues to resonate deeply, highlighting the complex emotional landscape one survivor must navigate amid a collective mourning.