Help desk for Air India Express crash passengers launched

Distressed to learn of this accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and their families.” Pavan Kapoor, Ambassador of India to the UAE

dubai — Indian missions in the UAE have launched helpline numbers for families and passengers of Air India Express aircraft (IX 1344) which crashed at the Calicut International Airport late on Friday.

“Air India Express Flight No IX 1344 from Dubai to Calicut skidded off the runway. We pray for the wellbeing of passengers and crew and will keep you updated as and when we receive further updates,” tweeted the ConsulateGeneral of India in Dubai.

“We are available to those in distress. As soon as we get information about the passengers, we will be getting in touch with the families. If need be, we will activate the consulate into a 24/7 help desk as well. Our officers will be on-the-ground to provide support,” said Dr Aman Puri, Consul-General of India in Dubai.

The Consul- General said all passengers on-board were emergency travel passengers.

“We had all kind of cases onboard. Some were visa cancellation and expiry cases, some were travelling to meet their family members, some were job loss cases, and some were travelling on medical emergencies,” Dr Puri explained.

He added that the Ministry of External Affairs control room has been activated in New Delhi, and the Kerala Government and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation are involved in rescue operations.

Meanwhile, community groups in the UAE have also launched 24/7 helpline numbers.

EP Johnson, president of the Indian Association in Sharjah, said: “Those in need can call us. We are available 24/7.”

Advocate Ibrahim Khaleel of the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) added: “Our volunteers and leaders in Kerala are on-site and are fully involved in rescue operations. In the UAE, we are reaching out to all the listed passengers and their families to ensure our support.”