In what can only be described as a miracle, a British businessman, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, has emerged as the lone survivor of a catastrophic Air India plane crash that claimed 241 lives shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, western India.

The London-bound Boeing 787 went down less than a minute after departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, slamming into a nearby residential complex that housed trainee doctors. The impact was devastating. All 169 Indian nationals and 52 British passengers and crew aboard were confirmed dead - except Ramesh.

According to the BBC, the 43-year-old, who was seated in seat 11A, survived against all odds. His survival has stunned both officials and family members alike.

“He has no idea how he survived,” said his brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh. “All he was worried about was our other brother, Ajay, who was also on board. That’s all he cared about when he called us.”

The tragedy has prompted a major investigation as authorities continue to assess the full extent of the casualties, including those possibly killed or injured on the ground. The cause of the crash remains unclear.

Dramatic footage posted on social media showed Ramesh dazed, bloodied, and limping away from the wreckage as smoke billowed behind him. He was later seen being treated at a local hospital, where he received a visit from India’s Interior Minister, Amit Shah.

Dr. Dhaval Gameti, the attending physician, said, “He was disoriented and had multiple injuries across his body. But he’s stable and out of danger.”

Originally from India, Ramesh has lived in the United Kingdom since 2003. He is married and has a four-year-old son. His narrow escape has brought a mix of relief and heartbreak to his family.

“He’s got injuries on his face and was covered in blood,” said a family member, identified only as Jay. “It’s a huge shock, but thank God he’s alive.”

Indian media confirmed Ramesh’s identity through his boarding pass, which showed his name and seat assignment. The airline has yet to release a full manifest to the public.

Tragically, among those feared dead are Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, founders of a spiritual wellness centre in London. Just moments before take-off, the couple shared a cheerful Instagram video joking about their “10-hour flight back to England.” Their business, The Wellness Foundry, has been approached for comment.

Also on the doomed flight were West Londoners Javed and Mariam Syed, who were travelling with their two young children. The family’s fate has yet to be formally confirmed.

The pain of the tragedy has extended across continents. Ammaarah Taju, whose grandparents Adam and Hasina Taju of Blackburn were on board, said the family remains in “shock and disbelief.” The elderly couple were travelling with their 51-year-old son-in-law, Altafhusen Patel, a resident of London.

As investigations continue, the nation and the families of those lost are left grappling with the scale of the disaster. For now, Vishwashkumar Ramesh’s survival stands as a solitary light amid the overwhelming darkness of one of the worst aviation tragedies in recent years.