Joy and grief for lone India crash survivor's family
The UK-based family of the lone survivor of the Air India crash were torn on Friday between joy at his miracle escape and grief at the loss of his brother.
"We are happy Vishwash has been saved, but on the other hand we are just heartbroken about Ajay," his cousin told AFP outside the family home in central Leicester.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, is believed to be the only person to have survived the crash when Air India Flight 171 plummeted from the sky shortly after taking off from the northern Indian city of Ahmedabad.
His brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, was on the same flight, but is believed to have perished in the disaster. There were 242 passengers and crew on the plane, including 53 British citizens.
At least 24 people were killed on the ground, officials said, after the aeroplane landed on a canteen building where students were having lunch.
Since Thursday's tragedy, the small Leicester street where Ramesh's parents and younger brother lived has been flooded with visitors.
Ramesh lives not far away with his wife and son, his cousin Hiren Kantilal, 19, told AFP.
Ajay also lived in the town, one of the oldest in England, and the two brothers ran a confectionary business together.
"They are wonderful people, and heartful people. They are greatest men I have ever seen in my life, both of them," said Kantilal.
The brothers were returning to the UK after spending a few weeks on holiday in India, and the family had been waiting to go and pick them up at Gatwick airport.
- 'I am totally fine' -
Shortly after the crash, they were shocked when Ramesh, who had reportedly been in seat 11A, called his father to say he was alive. Ajay was seated at the other end of the row.
AFP | Darren Staples
"Our plane has been crashed," Ramesh told his dad, according to his cousin.
"He was bleeding all over him, in the face and everything, and he said: 'I am just waiting for my brother and I don't know how I get out of the plane'.
"He said: 'do not worry about me, try to find about Ajay Kumar' and he said: 'I am totally fine'."
Kantilal said his cousin had waited for about 10 to 15 minutes seeking his brother, and then was whisked away to hospital by the rescue services.
Images which went viral on social media apparently showed Ramesh walking away from the wreckage of the 787-8 Boeing Dreamliner, and have been splashed across the front pages of British media along with a photo of him in his hospital bed.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Ramesh on Friday at the hospital where he is being treated for burns and other injuries, footage on his YouTube channel showed.
"Everything happened in front of me, and even I couldn't believe how I managed to come out alive from that," Ramesh said from his hospital bed, speaking in Hindi to national broadcaster DD News.
His parents had also been desperately trying to contact his brother Ajay on Thursday. "The call was going through, but no-one was answering the call," Kantilal said.
At the family home, relatives were frantically scanning their phones to try to buy a flight to Ahmedabad later on Friday afternoon.
Downing Street said that the foreign ministry had been in touch with Ramesh to offer him consular assistance.
mhc/alm/jkb/bc
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
31 minutes ago
- eNCA
Death toll in India plane crash rises to at least 279
The death toll from the fiery crash of a London-bound passenger jet in an Indian city climbed to 279 on Saturday as officials sought to match the DNA of victims with their grieving relatives. The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner issued a mayday call shortly before it crashed around lunchtime on Thursday, bursting into a fireball as it hit residential buildings. A police source said on Saturday that 279 bodies had been found at the crash site in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, making it one of the worst plane disasters of the 21st century. "Nobody can fill the void left by loss," said Imtiyaz Ali, whose younger brother boarded the plane. "I can't even begin to explain what's going on inside me," he told AFP. There was just one survivor out of 242 passengers and crew on board the jet when it crashed, leaving the tailpiece of the aircraft jutting out of a hostel for medical staff. Emergency services kept up their recovery efforts on Saturday, extracting a badly burnt body from the tailpiece before cranes were used to remove the wreckage. At least 38 people were killed on the ground. "I saw my child for the first time in two years, it was a great time," said Anil Patel, whose son and daughter-in-law had surprised him with a visit before boarding the Air India flight. "And now, there is nothing," he said, breaking down in tears. "Whatever the gods wanted has happened." - Search for black box - Distraught relatives of passengers have been providing DNA samples in Ahmedabad, with some having to fly to India to help with the process. The first body of a passenger to be handed over to relatives was placed in a white coffin on Saturday before being transported in an ambulance with a police escort, footage from the state government showed. AFP | Punit PARANJPE Air India said there were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese and a Canadian on board the flight, as well as 12 crew members. The official casualty number will not be finalised until the slow process of DNA identification is completed. Those killed ranged from a top politician to a teenage tea seller. The lone survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, said even he could not explain how he survived. "Initially, I too thought that I was about to die, but then I opened my eyes and realised that I was still alive," Ramesh, a British citizen, told national broadcaster DD News from his hospital bed. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said on Friday that a flight data recorder, or black box, had been recovered, saying it would "significantly aid" investigations. Forensic teams are still looking for the second black box as they probe why the plane lost height and crashed straight after takeoff. AFP | Punit PARANJPE The aviation minister said on Saturday that authorities "felt the need to do an extended surveillance of the Boeing 787 planes", with eight out of Air India's 34 Dreamliners inspected so far. Officials will take "whatever necessary steps are needed" to determine the cause of the disaster as soon as possible, he said. The US planemaker said it was in touch with Air India and stood "ready to support them" over the incident. A source close to the case said it was the first 787 Dreamliner crash.
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Krugersdorp's concentration camps remembered
The fourth edition of the Echoes of Krugersdorp series takes a heartfelt look at a significant chapter in history – the role of concentration camps in Krugersdorp during the South African War, more commonly known as the Second Boer War. Recently, the Krugersdorp News teamed up with the Krugersdorp Heritage Association (KHA) to revisit some of the past events and remarkable buildings that hold deep historical significance in our town. ALSO READ: Exploring Krugersdorp's historic post office Jaco Mattheyse, co-founder of the KHA, shared that to truly understand the events, we need to journey back to 1899 to 1902 and the eight months after the outbreak of the Second Boer War. Many tens of thousands of women and children were forcibly moved into the concentration camps as part of the Scorched Earth policies, where the British destroyed Boer farms as part of their efforts to win the war. Historical background In June 1900, following the annexation of the Orange Free State, British troops under Major-General Archibald Hunter entered Krugersdorp without resistance. Magistrate JC Human officially handed over the town's administration, and martial law was put in place. A public ceremony was held on Commissioner Street in front of the old magistrate's court, where the Union Jack was hoisted, marking the beginning of British military control. 'The British garrison set up its headquarters in Kilmarnock House, located at the corner of De Wet and Begin streets in Krugersdorp North. Additionally, a blockhouse was built on the hillside of Monument to supervise the town, manned by seven soldiers and four black men who acted as servants and watchmen. This blockhouse still stands today, nestled in the park across from Monument Primary School at the corner of Sarel Oosthuizen and Sarel Potgieter streets,' Jaco mentioned. He continued by explaining that under martial law, movement was strictly regulated. Public gatherings were not allowed, and permits were needed for those wishing to travel or even access the railway platform. As the war broke out, the closure of shops led to shortages of food and necessities. Thankfully, a few stores like Hompes and Seehoff, Harvey Greenacre, McCloskie, and Te Water reopened after the British occupation, offering much-needed support to the struggling townspeople, many of whom had depended on gold mining operations, which were halted. 'In response to these challenges, the Krugersdorp Women's League was formed. Initially focused on alleviating poverty, the league expanded its efforts to support residents of the newly established Krugersdorp concentration camp. In October 1901, a health committee was re-established to monitor public health in line with pre-war regulations. Under Proclamation 21 of 1900, all infectious diseases had to be reported, with doctors receiving a fee of 20 cents for each case. Proclamation 10 of 1901 assigned the responsibility for investigating sudden or suspicious deaths to the resident magistrate, and all births and deaths needed to be officially registered,' he explained. Jaco noted that with the annexation of the South African Republic (ZAR), all citizens became British subjects. Townspeople were prohibited from supporting the Boer commandos. Each household received a permit after an inventory of their belongings was taken to prevent provisions from reaching Boer fighters. Nonetheless, several elderly residents at the time, such as Dr Van der Merwe, Magistrate JC Human, and Mr MWP Pretorius, managed to sneak intelligence to the commandos by tying notes to stray dogs, as detailed in our previous article on the Krugersdorp Club. Human was placed under house arrest for his involvement but continued to assist the Boer forces discreetly. Life in Krugersdorp during the war was incredibly difficult. With little steady income and scarce money circulating, townspeople faced daily struggles for survival. 'Formal education was halted; the local Dutch Reformed [NG] Church school closed when the war began. In 1901, the British established an English-medium school. In response, local leader Mr JH Grundlingh created a private Dutch-medium school that served 100 learners, employing Miss F van Binnedyk and H Putten at five pounds per month,' he shared. The Krugersdorp concentration camp Jaco explained that, although relatively small compared to others, the Krugersdorp Concentration Camp was marked by its own tragedies. Located at the base of Monument Hill, the site now occupied by Dr Yusuf Dadoo (formerly Paardekraal) Hospital and Coronation Park held over 6 000 women and children by the end of 1901. 'The camp was unsanitary, overcrowded, and poorly managed, experiencing severe outbreaks of measles, pneumonia, and dysentery. The situation was worsened by malnutrition and contaminated water. October and November 1901 were particularly tragic, with a heartbreaking total of 105 deaths during those months,' he narrated. 'After the administration transitioned from military to civilian control under Mr Tomlinson and Dr Aymard, conditions improved. The Ladies' Commission of the town increased its support to camp families, focusing on food provision. Rations were distributed in two categories: Class 1 [surrendered or British-employed] and Class 2 [families of active Boers], with Class 2 receiving fewer rations. When available, additional maize meal and milk [for children under two] were also provided. Unfortunately, family size was not considered in rationing, resulting in widespread malnutrition. There were also reports of contaminants in the food. Families often had to scavenge for firewood or cow dung for cooking. Some women found work with British soldiers, taking on tasks like laundry in exchange for better treatment,' he concluded. Jaco commented that a large tent in the camp doubled as a church and school. For many Boer children, this was their first formal education, taught in English, part of Britain's policy to anglicise Afrikaners. Many teachers remained in South Africa after the war, forming the core of the emerging education system. 'According to 89-year-old Rachel Lindhout-Fourie, her grandfather 'Oom Klasie' helped bury victims, who were initially interred at the camp site and later reburied at Burgershoop Cemetery. The graves, uniform and unnamed due to the reburials, are said to contain up to four bodies in each grave, accounting for the estimated 1 800 dead.' The surviving Boer women and children were released from the concentration camps in November after the Treaty of Vereeniging was signed in May 1902, which formally ended the Second Boer War. Krugersdorp's native refugee camp Jaco claims that, less widely acknowledged, is the existence of one of the largest native refugee camps in the region. In July 1901, many black residents of the western Transvaal sought refuge with British forces. To enforce the displacement of Boer women and children, black farm labourers were also removed and resettled. 'The native refugee camp was first established on the farm Roodekranz No 83 IQ near Krugersdorp, and later moved to Waterval No 74 IQ due to better water access. Farming began under a self-sustenance policy, and by September 1902, the British government had negotiated a crop-sharing agreement with the landowner, Mr AHF du Toit. The camp housed 3 382 people in December 1901. Of these, 1 288 black men served the British Army, while a small number worked in private homes,' he said. Jaco explains that conditions were dire in these camps, often worse than in the white camps. Disease and famine claimed many lives, with pneumonia, measles, and dysentery being the leading causes. Missionaries, such as Reverend Farmer, reported on November 23, 1901, that they had to work hard all day, but the only food they got was mealies and mealie meal in the camp, and they had to buy this with their own money. Meat is unavailable at any price, and they were not allowed to shop freely. 'The camp was abolished in October 1902. Some inhabitants refused to return to Boer farms, hoping instead for better lives under British rule. However, famine persisted in the region, and the Krugersdorp grain depot was retained to support the devastated black communities,' he stated. Aftermath of the war Jaco stated that the war reshaped Krugersdorp society. Assistant Resident Magistrate Lt Phillips took over administration as families and prisoners of war returned. For the first six months post-war, repatriation and reconstruction dominated public life. He added a commission under the Assistant Resident Magistrate processed Boer claims for war damage compensation. Although aid, such as food and farming equipment, was available on credit, many Boers fell into severe debt. 'Large numbers of impoverished Afrikaners settled near the Burgershoop Brickfields, where they began producing hand-moulded clay bricks used in many early Krugersdorp buildings. This clay was sourced from the wetlands near what is now Harlequins Rugby Club. Today, little physical evidence remains of either the white or the native camps. The white campsite became Coronation Park in honour of King Edward VII's coronation in 1902. The native camp area was absorbed into the old Krugersdorp Game Reserve, and all that remains there are a few graves in the veld,' he concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The South African
11 hours ago
- The South African
Air India crash: Traffic saves student
A student is reeling after missing the deadly Air India flight that killed 241 passengers and 12 crew members. Bhoomi Chauhan was stuck in traffic which delayed her by 10 minutes. Despite checking-in online, the 28-year-old, was turned away by airline staff. Chauhan recalled being angry before leaving the airport in frustration. The business administration student who lives in London with her husband was in India for a holiday. Speaking to The BBC, Chauhan said shortly after leaving the airport, she received a call saying that the plane had crashed. 'This is totally a miracle for me. When I missed the flight, I was dejected. Only thing that I had in mind was, 'If I had started a little early, I would have boarded the plane',' she said. Meanwhile, the Global Indian Organisation (GIO) South Africa extended its sympathies to the families impacted by the heartbreaking plane crash. The organisation's president, Claudette Sigamoney said her thoughts and prayers are with the people of India after the devastating and deadly plane crash. 'May the families of all those on board, alongside the emergency services attending the scene, find comfort, solace and the strength to persevere in these moments. May this tragic incident galvanise our collective humanity, inspiring us to come together in support of those affected, and may we find the courage to hold on to hope as we work towards a brighter future,' said Sigamoney. The organisation also paid tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and those providing support amid the deadly plane crash. 'May their selfless acts of kindness be a beacon of light in the darkness, illuminating a path forward filled with a collective capacity of compassion, resilience, hope and healing. Let us strive for peace, understanding, and support, empowering each other to create a more compassionate world,' added Sigamoney. At least eight people on the ground were also killed following the plane crash. However, one passenger, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, survived and was treated for injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation. According to reports, the Indian government is considering whether it should ground the Boeing-787 fleet in the country. The investigation also seeks to find out if Air India was at fault, following the plane crash. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
