JOIN USThe district administration, NMPT and Airports Authority of India (AAI) organised a condolence meeting in memory of air crash victims at the memorial site at Kuloor on Wednesday.
A total of 158 passengers had their lives in one of the deadliest aviation disasters that took place in 2010.
Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil said, “Observing the anniversary of this crash is painful. But it also reminds us of the lessons learnt from the tragedy. It is an occasion to remember that all are with the family of the deceased.”
“Though nine years have passed, it is an unforgettable day for the people of the district. It is our duty to remember all those deceased in the crash by paying tributes,” he said.
Senthil said the crash has taught a lesson to disaster management planners. Even Airports Authority of India too has upgraded its disaster response system after the incident, he added.
Air Crash Victims’ Association President Mohammed Beary remembered the efforts made by former DC A B Ibrahim in constructing the memorial. The association is continuing the legal fight in Supreme Court to get equal compensation as per the Montreal Convention for women and children who died in the air crash.
Mangaluru International Airport Director Abraham Khosy, Senthil, Zilla Panchayat CEO Selvamani and others placed wreaths at the memorial.
The memorial was constructed in 2011 at the spot where 12 air crash victims were buried at Kuloor on Tannirbavi Road.
The Dubai-Mangalore Air India flight IX 812 overshot the table-top runway before bursting into flames, killing 158 passengers including crew members, on May 22, 2010. Only eight passengers survived in the crash.
Twelve bodies could not be identified. After DNA tests failed, the 12 bodies were buried at the site near Kuloor bridge, just off National Highway 66, adjacent to the Phalguni river.
Unfulfilled promise
During the first anniversary of the tragedy, Air India Express COO S Chandrakumar had said that the Air India had decided to contribute 90% of the financial assistance for the construction of air crash victims’ memorial at Malavoor.
Malavoor Gram Panchayat had planned to set up a community hall, a dispensary and a reading room in the village in memory of the air crash victims. However, the promise has not been fulfilled so far.