Mangalore: Crash debris yet to be cleared

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 22: Several churches in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi offered prayers for the air crash victims on Tuesday.

AWAITING nod: Debris of the ill-fated IX-812 Air India Express, which crashed at Kenjar on May 22 remains uncleared. DH PhotoHoly Cross Church in Kulshekar which offered prayers and a special mass for all the victims of the air crash that claimed 158 lives on May 22, had four parishioners in the ill-fated flight.

They included Naveen Fernandes-Saritha D’Souza couple (Padil), Ullas D’Silva (Baithurli) and Ignatius D’Souza (Shakthinagar). The body of D’Souza could not be identified even after the DNA tests. Hence, the mortal remains of D’Souza were buried on the banks of Gurpur river near Thannirbavi in a mass burial ceremony on June 2.

However, family members of all the four victims took part in the ceremony. Apart from the family members of the deceased, a large number of other parishioners too took part in the holy mass followed by a condolence meet.

Similarly, St Evangelist Church in Shankarpura in Udupi district too offered prayers for the aircrash victims. Three of a family — Flavia Shakunthala and her son Vishal Floyd Lobo and daughter Venissa Nicole Lobo — had perished in the air crash.

Yaga performed
The Annapoorneshwari temple in Kodyadka offered Sanjeevini Mruthunjaya and Chandikayaga on Sunday for the victims of the air crash.

As many as 10 victims’ family members took part in the yaga. Former minister Amarnath Shetty took part in the ceremony.

Though it is a month after the air crash, the debris of the ill-fated IX-812 Air India Express, is still lying at Kenjar, the site of the air crash.

According to police officials, the DGCA officials have been seeking more time to clear the debris.  The district administration had written to the DGCA to clear the debris, DGCA had said that it would clear the debris after the inquiry team visits Mangalore.

Survivors’ speak
Mayan Kutty, one of the eight survivors of the crash, said he plans to return to Dubai after three months. Interestingly, on May 24, two days after the air crash, lying on the SCS hospital bed, he had said that he has made a decision and he does not want to spare a second thought on it.

“I have decided not to step on any flight ever again. When I am asleep I feel as though I am falling into a bottomless well from where there is no escape. I think I can never over come this feeling,” Kutty had said.

Pradeep G K, another survivor and an air-conditioner technician said that he wants to go back but his mother’s fear of losing him is holding him back. “The incident has undoubtedly made an impact on my mind but I want to move on. Unfortunately, this incident has affected my 65-year old mother and she says that she can never let me go again. I don’t know what to do,” he had said a few days ago.

DHNS