Miracle Survivor of Air India 171 Crash Mourning Brother’s Loss

AHMEDABAD, India — Viswashkumar Ramesh, the only survivor of the recent Air India 171 plane crash, which killed 241 others, mourned the loss of his younger brother Ajay by performing last rites in their ancestral village.

On June 12, Viswashkumar, seated in 11A, survived the horrific crash that consumed the aircraft. Ajay, who occupied seat 11J, was tragically lost in the blaze. Viswash’s miraculous survival has drawn global attention, but it is overshadowed by the sorrow of losing his brother.

During the emotional ceremony in Bucharwada village, Viswash struggled to cope with his grief, frequently breaking down as he shouldered his brother’s coffin. Villagers observed his deep anguish as he honored Ajay’s memory, while their father, Ramesh Bhalia, lit the funeral pyre. Family and friends gathered, mourning the loss of a beloved son and brother.

“Despite his own grief, Viswash was seen comforting other relatives during the cremation,” shared a relative of the Bhalia family. The family, hailing from the Koli Patel community, expressed gratitude for Viswash’s survival but felt the weight of their loss deeply.

Since the crash, Viswash, along with his parents and two brothers, traveled to Gujarat for the funeral. Local authorities are investigating the incident, questioning Viswash about his experience. Family members wore white caps during the gatherings, paying tribute to Ajay while offering prayers for the departed.

“He is deeply shaken and is struggling to express himself,” a family source noted. As the family continues to support him, they navigate their collective grief over the unimaginable tragedy.