In the wake of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site today to assess the situation and meet with the sole survivor of the disaster. The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, flight AI171 bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, claiming the lives of 241 people.

Upon arriving in Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister immediately proceeded to the crash site in the Meghaninagar area. He was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other senior officials. Modi, who previously served as Gujarat's Chief Minister for 12 years, expressed his profound grief and shock at the tragedy.

The crash site presented a scene of devastation, with the aircraft having crashed into the residential quarters of doctors from BJ Medical College. Eyewitnesses reported that the plane lost altitude soon after takeoff and collided with buildings within the residential complex, resulting in a massive fire and thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

Amidst the sorrow and loss, a single ray of hope emerged: Vishwashkumar Ramesh, an Indian-origin British national, miraculously survived the crash. Ramesh was seated in 11A of the ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed that Ramesh was found alive and immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Reports indicate that Ramesh was traveling to London with his brother, Ajay Kumar Rakesh, who was seated in a different row. Sadly, Ajay Kumar Rakesh was among the 241 fatalities.

According to medical professionals attending to Ramesh, he sustained multiple injuries throughout his body but is considered to be out of danger. Initial reports suggest he is disoriented but stable. Ramesh reportedly told medics that shortly after takeoff, the plane began to descend and split in two, ejecting him before a loud explosion occurred.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also visited Vishwashkumar Ramesh at the Ahmedabad hospital. Visuals showed Shah speaking with the survivor, who was covered in bandages.

Air India confirmed the devastating loss of life, stating that of the 242 passengers and crew members on board, 241 had perished. The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national.

A formal investigation into the cause of the crash has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had over 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours of experience. The flight crew issued a 'Mayday' distress call to Air Traffic Control (ATC) shortly after takeoff, but communication was lost moments later.

Emergency services, including fire engines, ambulances, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, were immediately deployed to the crash site. The NDRF has recovered numerous bodies from the wreckage.

The Ahmedabad airport was temporarily closed but has since resumed operations with limited flights.