Date:10/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/10/stories/2007051019310400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Kin of air crash victims still awaiting information

Staff Reporter

They are going through tough time

BANGALORE: With the news of recovery of bodies and parts of bodies from the wreckage of the Kenyan Airways aircraft that crashed in Cameroon being flashed in television news channels, their distressed relatives are going through tough time. Some have reached Kenya, while others are desperately waiting for information.

Savio Nigli, a private college lecturer here, spent most part of the day making calls to Kenyan Airways and Ministry of External Affairs and High Commissioner of Kenya. Mr. Nigli, who is awaiting news about his parents Kewin Nigli (60) and Shirly Nigli (58), said Kenyan Airways had promised to get back to him with information, but that was not happening. It was difficult to get through to the Deputy High Commissioner who was in charge of dissemination of information on the crash.

Though Kenyan Airways had promised the victims' relatives two return tickets, he wonders why should he go there if he would not be able to see the entire bodies of his parents. He would go there only if he was promised of that possibility. Otherwise, his two uncles in Cameroon would perform the last rites. "It is not a holiday trip, you know," he said in a heavy voice. The Nigli family wonders why it took so much time for the authorities to reach the crash site and why they are not forthcoming with information. Their searches on the Net had revealed that the accident site was not too far from the city of Doulala. "Don't they have the right equipment and machinery (to reach the site fast)?" Mr. Nigli asked when pointed out that it had fallen in a forest.

He was also doubtful about the precautions taken while allowing the aircraft to take off. "In Delhi they never allow flights to take off even if there is fog," he said.

Seeking urgent information, the Nigli family wants the authorities concerned to arrange for death certificates and documents relating to his parents without any delay. "They should at least tell us by when we will get information and documents. There should be some deadline."

The family members of three other victims of the crash, Chartered Accountant B. Madhusudhan (42), daughter Poojitha (10), wife Bhagya (34), said they had reached Kenya on Wednesday.

One of the relatives, who answered a call from Kenya, was not in a position to give information.