Lone passenger who survived deadly Air India crash at Ahmedabad sparks interest in other sole survivors
A medic has said Vishwashkumar Ramesh was thrown out of the plane and walked to a nearby ambulance for aid. Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who treated Ramesh, told The Associated Press that Ramesh was disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body, but that he seemed to be out of danger.
People on social media have been commenting about the idea of only one person surviving the crash, calling it unreal, remarkable, a work of divine intervention, and a miracle.
In recent decades, several other people have been the lone survivors of plane crashes.
Cecelia Crocker — known as Cecelia Cichan at the time of the 1987 crash — was aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 255 when it crashed in the Detroit suburb of Romulus, killing 154 people on board, including her parents and brother. Two people also died on the ground.
The Phoenix-bound plane was clearing the runway when it tilted and the left wing clipped a light pole before shearing the top off a rental car building. The McDonnell Douglas MD80 left a half-mile trail of bodies and wreckage along Middle Belt Road.
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News18
14 hours ago
- News18
God understands us: Inside Nigerian church where deaf find faith, community
Lagos (Nigeria), Aug 3 (AP) It is like any other church in Nigeria's megacity of Lagos. A lectern faces rows of plastic chairs. A biblical quote is written on a beam above. There is a music section with a set of drums. Sash-wearing church wardens move around to enforce order. But it is also different. For hours, the only sounds are exclamations and thunderous bursts of drums, with their vibrations serving as cues for when to pray, kneel, or respond to the preacher's calls for 'Hallelujah." This is a church for deaf people in Somolu, a mixed-income suburb, where about 50 to 60 people worship weekly. Imoh Udoka, a father of two children, has attended the church for 36 years. He was 9 years old when he contracted meningitis, losing his hearing as well as access to his faith. Most churches in Nigeria do not have accommodation for deaf people. Then Udoka, now a teacher of sign language, discovered the church via community outreach. 'Here in this church, we have access to worship God in our sign language," he told The Associated Press. God also understands us' Remi Akinrenmi is one of the pastors. Every Sunday, he mounts the pulpit with charismatic energy to preach in American Sign Language. His big frame makes for a commanding presence. On one Sunday, he preached about the sinister consequences of jealousy. On another, he preached the importance of faith. Attendees waved their hands above their heads in response to 'Praise the Lord." Most important for Akinrenmi is that members see the church as a community. 'There was no community for us before the deaf church started," he said. 'Now, we see each other and say, Oh, you are deaf, too. I am also deaf.' And we are now together and have formed a community." God understands every language, he said: 'With sign language, God also understands us." Disability advocates say that in the absence of inclusive churches and institutions, churches like this and a handful of affiliates in southern Nigeria are crucial, especially in African societies where the perception of people with disabilities is influenced by traditional beliefs. Some see a disability as a divine punishment. 'An exclusive space like this church offers them an opportunity for a safe space to be able to connect and relate," said Treasures Uchegbu, founder of Speaking Fingers, a sign language advocacy group in Lagos. 'They can say, I am not a deaf person just standing alone, I have other deaf people around.'" How the church came to be The church organises evangelism outreach programs to other deaf communities in Lagos. It also runs a teaching unit for sign language, a vital tool for understanding the world better, according to Akinrenmi. Hearing children of church members also attend the classes to better relate to their parents and others, and some hearing students attend church services for immersion learning. The church started in 1956 in colonial Nigeria as the Christian Mission for Deaf Africans. In today's Nigeria, an estimated 10 million people out of the population of 220 million are deaf or have difficulty hearing. There is limited infrastructure in Nigeria for people with disabilities, and laws to improve their welfare and prevent discrimination are barely enforced. Efforts by advocates to push for more inclusive legislation have not materialised. They blame a lack of political will. Oluwakemi Oluwatoke-Ogunjirin, a 49-year-old worker with the Lagos state government, was born deaf. She attended hearing churches with her family, but always felt lost. Depending solely on public infrastructure in other parts of life, she struggles to get by. But at the church, she said, she has found a community where she can feel safe and understood. 'The church goes beyond faith; we have people like ourselves that we can talk to as friends," Oluwatoke-Ogunjirin said. With the church's help, she has improved her sign language and can communicate widely, breaking the isolation she grew up with. 'The sign language makes life very easy for us," she said. 'It helps us communicate beyond the church." (AP) SKS NSA NSA (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 03, 2025, 11:15 IST News agency-feeds God understands us: Inside Nigerian church where deaf find faith, community Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
16 hours ago
- News18
Bizarre Claim On ‘Stranded Souls' Of Air India Crash Victims: ‘Article 51A(h) Leaves Chat'
Last Updated: Sanjiv Malik, a past life expert, said the souls of the crash victims were still at Ahmedabad Airport and asked that a prayer ceremony be held for them. The nation is still waiting for the final report on the Air India AI-171 crash, which led to the loss of at least 270 lives in Ahmedabad. While questions remain about what led to the fatal crash, one video has grabbed attention for its bizarre claim. The clip, which is going viral on Instagram. The clip, featuring past life expert Sanjiv Malik, said that the souls of the people who died in the air crash are still 'stranded' in Ahmedabad. The clip features Sanjiv Malik talking about the plane crash, which took place in June this year. He mentioned that the souls of the victims were still wandering at the airport. He asked the people of Gujarat to hold a prayer ceremony so that the departed souls could find some peace. How Social Media Reacted Many people agreed with Malik's claims. 'I agree with him and believe with him. I might sound weird to few people but karmic really plays a role in this tragic accident," an account wrote. Others were more critical. One person suggested, 'Why spreading such rumours, the government should rebuild the place and bring back students to occupy the rooms. 'Sorry to say but I have worked there for two weeks at the site with the disaster management team and there is nothing of this sort, so please don't spread any superstitions," a person countered. One comment read, 'Article 51A(h) of the Indian constitution left the chat and comment section." What Is Article 51A(h)? The article is part of the 11 Fundamental Duties listed in the Indian Constitution. It asks citizens 'to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform." The Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable, meaning they cannot be decided by a court of law. However, they still give an insight into what the state expects from its citizens. The Indian Constitution is one of the few documents to use the phrase 'scientific temper" explicitly, The Wire said. Article 51A(h) showcases how it is the duty of every citizen to ensure they are not led by superstition to disregard science. The video about the 'stranded souls' at Ahmedabad Airport has once again ignited a debate about belief versus science. The comments section highlighted how many people are still split when it comes to believing in souls, reincarnation and karma. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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First Post
2 days ago
- First Post
London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner aborts take-off due to technical issues
Air India flight AI2017 to London aborted takeoff due to technical issues. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and the incident took place just weeks after the fatal Ahmedabad plane crash read more Advertisement Air India revisits its safety standards. PTI Air India flight bound to London was forced to abort takeoff after the aircraft faced technical issues. AI Flight AI2017 was scheduled to depart from Delhi to London on Thursday (31 July). However, it was brought to a halt after the cockpit crew decided to 'discontinue the take-off run'. The aircraft involved in the incident was a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner . After the take-off was aborted, the passengers were asked to disembark as precautionary checks were carried out. Air India eventually provided the crew and the passengers with an alternative aircraft to complete the journey to London. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Flight AI2017, operating from Delhi to London on 31 July, returned to the bay due to a suspected technical issue," an Air India spokesperson said after the incident. 'The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the takeoff run following standard operating procedures and brought the aircraft back for precautionary checks. An alternative aircraft was deployed to fly the passengers to London," the airline company furthered. The incident rings alarm bells of the past What makes the matter concerning is the fact that the incident came just weeks after an Air India flight bound for London Gatwick struck a medical college hostel in Ahmedabad minutes after take-off , killing 241 people. Indian officials at that time confirmed that the pilot issued multiple distress calls before the Gatwick-bound flight crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12. 'Thrust not achieved… falling… Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! ' the preliminary report of the Indian AAIB said before the aircraft lost height and erupted in flames. There were 230 passengers and 12 crew members on board, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens and one Canadian, according to Air India. Apart from the formal investigation, the Indian government has set up a high-level committee to examine the causes leading to the crash. The body will be focusing on formulating procedures to prevent and handle aircraft emergencies in the future, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statment. Meanwhile, Air India and the government are probing several aspects of the crash, including issues linked to its engine thrust, flaps, and why the landing gear remained open as the plane took off and then came down. The authorities are yet to share the final report on the crash.
