Everything we know about Air India crash 40 days later as sad update is given on sole survivor

It's been just over a month since over 200 passengers were killed on an Air India flight that crashed into a doctors' hostel in Ahmedabad, and still, the world is reeling from the monumental loss.

Earlier this week, the family of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the incident, gave an update on his wellbeing, revealing that the heartbroken man is still haunted by nightmares of the collision, which tragically stole the life of his brother.

Ramesh's latest statement was also revealed just days after a preliminary report undertaken by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was released, shedding some light on what may have prompted the crash.

Here's everything we know so far about the disaster.

The results of a preliminary investigation were released last week (SAM PANTHAKY/AFP via Getty Images)

What happened?

On 12 July 2025, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner departed from Ahmedabad Airport for Gatwick, London at 09:50 local time, with an estimated arrival into the UK of 18:25.

Seconds after take-off, however, the aircraft's pilots issued a mayday call to air traffic control officers, reporting an error.

Less than a minute after the jet left the runway, it plummeted into the residential area, striking the dining area of Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital as a result.

In footage that quickly spread on social media, the aircraft could be seen having burst into flames, with thick, black fumes being released into the air.

How many died?

242 people were on board the aircraft at the time - 169 of whom were Indian, 53 were British, seven were Portuguese and one was Canadian.

230 were passengers, whilst 12 were Air India crew members.

Photos from the scene showed a large grey cloud of smoke (Sky News)

Though city police commissioner G.S. Malik initially told press that there appeared to have been no survivors from the crash, it later emerged that one passenger had managed to escape from the wreck.

Ramesh, who had been sitting in seat 11A, escaped, later telling DD News: "I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening, and crawled out. When the door broke and I saw there was some space, I tried to get out of there and I did."

His brother, Ajay, who'd been sat in a seat nearby, was killed in the collision.

19 residents of the local area sadly lost their lives when the plane crashed into the several storeys high doctor's accommodation, with 67 others sustaining serious injuries as a result.

The fatal crash marked the first of its kind since Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner entered commercial service in 2011.

A BBC report previously reported that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, and his co-pilot, Clive Kundar, were both experienced fliers, with over 9,000 flying hours between them.

A recording from the cockpit was obtained (BASIT ZARGAR/Middle east images/AFP via Getty Images)

Prior to the crash, the engine itself was loaded with over 100 tonnes of fuel.

What does the preliminary report say?

A preliminary report released earlier this month by the AAIB suggests that the collision was caused by confusion between the two pilots in charge of the aircraft with regards to the fuel switch.

It said: "In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut off. The other pilot responded that he did not do so."

The investigation found, as per the BBC, that the jet's fuel-control switches had been abruptly moved to the "cut-off" position, which starved the engines of fuel. This, in turn, triggered a total power loss.

Though the switches were subsequently moved back to their normal in-flight position, though the engine was unable to reverse the deceleration of the aircraft.

The report does not specify which voice in the recording belongs to which pilot.

Several residents at the hospital were also killed (Raju Shinde/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Another, more in-depth report on the crash is expected in 12 months.

As such, the loved ones of a number of victims have since pledged to take legal action against Air India, who previously wrote a message of 'solidarity'.

"Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident. We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to providing support during this difficult time," the travel firm wrote.

"We acknowledge receipt of the preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) today, 12 July 2025.

"Air India is working closely with stakeholders, including regulators. We continue to fully cooperate with the AAIB and other authorities as their investigation progresses.

"Given the active nature of the investigation, we are unable to comment on specific details and refer all such enquiries to the AAIB."

Update on the survivor

Ramesh's brother was killed in the crash (ITV News)

The family of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh - who has remained in India, choosing to recuperate in Bucharwada village in Diu since the crash - provided an update on his wellbeing this week.

Revealing everything he could recall on the collision, the British national's 24-year-old 'nephew' Krunal Keshave told The Sunday Times: "He can’t sleep at night. He sleeps but doesn’t sleep properly.

"When he sleeps, he dreams he is on the flight. He remembers seeing everyone die in front of his eyes."

Keshave continued: "He speaks but he doesn’t speak about the crash. His wife and his son [who is four] are there with him, supporting him.

"He is currently trying to have a normal life, but he is not going out too much. He is spending time at home with the family. He was living in the house in Diu with his brother before the crash."