The internet is ablaze with controversy after famous actress Suchitra Krishnamoorthi accused Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the recent British Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, of fabricating his story. The crash, which occurred on June 12th, tragically claimed the lives of 260 people.

Krishnamoorthi's initial accusation, posted on X (formerly Twitter), questioned Ramesh's account of surviving the disaster. She alluded to rumors circulating online, suggesting that Ramesh had lied about being on board the plane and that his family in the UK had fabricated the story. In a now-deleted post, she wrote, "So this #vishwaskumarramesh lied about being a passenger on the plane & the only survivor? This is seriously weird. Didn't his family in the UK corroborate his story? What about his brother's funeral that he was seen giving kandha to? Deserve not only some serious punishment but some mental asylum time if this is true uff."

The actress's words ignited a firestorm of criticism. Many social media users slammed Krishnamoorthi for her insensitive and unsubstantiated claims, particularly given the magnitude of the tragedy and the trauma experienced by the survivor. Critics were quick to point out that Ramesh's identity and survival had been officially verified by the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, where he received treatment for his injuries. Some users accused her of spreading fake news and acting irresponsibly by not fact-checking before posting.

Faced with mounting backlash, Krishnamoorthi deleted her original post and issued a public apology. In a subsequent tweet, she wrote, "Took out my last tweet on the air India crash survivor. Seems to be false news circulated for God knows what reason. My apologies." While she expressed regret for her actions, the apology has been met with mixed reactions. Some have accepted her apology, while others believe it is insufficient, arguing that the damage has already been done.

Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national, was seated in 11A, near an emergency exit on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Reports indicate that he managed to jump from the wreckage, miraculously surviving the crash. Following his discharge from the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Ramesh was seen attending the funeral rites of his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, who was also on the flight and perished in the crash.

The incident highlights the dangers of spreading misinformation online, especially in the wake of tragedies. Krishnamoorthi's actions serve as a stark reminder of the importance of verifying information before sharing it on social media, particularly when dealing with sensitive and emotional subjects. The public outcry also demonstrates the importance of empathy and sensitivity towards victims and survivors of traumatic events. While the actress has apologized, the controversy continues to unfold, raising questions about accountability and the impact of social media on public discourse surrounding tragic events.