Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Vishwas Kumar, the sole surviving passenger of the tragic Air India Dreamliner crash, has broken his silence, recounting the harrowing moments that unfolded aboard the doomed aircraft. Seated in 11A, Kumar’s escape from the inferno has stunned aviation experts and moved millions across the country.

The crash, which occurred just minutes after takeoff from Mumbai en route to Delhi, resulted in the loss of over 243 lives. The aircraft, a Boeing Dreamliner, experienced what officials describe as a "catastrophic technical failure" mid-air, leading to a rapid descent and eventual crash into a forested zone on the city's outskirts. Amidst the wreckage and despair, rescue workers discovered Kumar—bruised, burned, and barely conscious, but alive.

Now recovering in a Delhi hospital, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and aviation authorities having personally met him, Vishwas Kumar shared the chilling details of his survival in an emotional interview from his hospital bed.

“I don’t remember the moment we hit the ground,” Kumar said, his voice trembling. “There was a loud noise, like something had exploded near the wing. The plane started shaking violently, and people screamed. The lights went out, and then everything turned dark.”

According to Kumar, seat 11A—located near the emergency exit—might have played a crucial role in his survival. “There was a sudden jolt, and I felt myself being flung sideways. I must have blacked out. When I came to, I was lying outside the plane. I think I was thrown clear before the fire started.”

Doctors treating Kumar say he has multiple fractures, burns on his arms, and head injuries, but is expected to recover fully. “His survival defies logic,” said Dr. Neha Rawat, who leads the trauma team at AIIMS. “His vitals were fading when he arrived, but he’s stabilized now. Physically he’ll heal, but emotionally, it may take a lifetime.”

What makes Kumar’s story even more powerful is his background. A 27-year-old civil services aspirant, he was flying home after completing a mock interview in Mumbai. “I had my dreams, just like everyone else on that flight,” he said with tears in his eyes. “Now I carry the memory of them with me.”

The aviation ministry has launched a full investigation into the crash, with black box recovery efforts still underway. Kumar’s testimony is expected to be a vital piece of evidence in reconstructing the final minutes before disaster struck.

Prime Minister Modi, who met Kumar on Thursday, praised his courage and called him a “living testimony to hope amid tragedy.” The PM also assured that the government would bear all his medical expenses and support him through rehabilitation.

As news of his survival spreads, social media has erupted in prayers and awe. Many have hailed him as the “Miracle of 11A,” and thousands have sent him messages of strength and solidarity.

“I don’t know why I survived when others didn’t,” Kumar said. “All I can do now is honour their memory by living better, by living for them.”

Though his journey toward recovery has just begun, Vishwas Kumar's story stands as a poignant reminder of resilience and the thin line between life and death. In the heart of unthinkable tragedy, his survival offers a glimmer of hope—a miracle that will be remembered for years to come.