DOWNED LION AIR PLANE: VICTIMS’ BELONGINGS IDENTIFIED

These goods, belonging to the people who died 15 years ago in the plane crash, were identified during the display. Fifteen years ago the Antanov 24 plane belonging to Lion Air had fallen into the sea off Iranathivu following a missile attack by the LTTE

Fifteen years ago the Antanov 24 plane belonging to Lion Air had fallen into the sea off Iranathivu following a missile attack by the LTTE.

Clothing and other belongings of 17 of those who perished following the missile attack on the Lion Air Antonov 24 plane have been identified by their relatives when the items salvaged from the plane were put on display on January 11 and 12 at the Old Municipal Grounds in Jaffna, according to officers of the Terrorist Investigation Unit.

These goods, belonging to the people who died 15 years ago in the plane crash, were identified during the display.

This display had been organised as a collaborative event by officers of the terrorist investigation unit, judicial medical officers and state counsel. 72 items were on display The belongings of the 55 victims had been salvaged last year. They were put on display for identification on January 11 and 12

and listed.

The relatives were allowed to examine the items after their credentials were perused by the authorities. The ill-fated plane had taken off from the Palali Air Force Base carrying 48 passengers and seven crew.

46 of the victims were Tamil noncombatants and two were Russian

The plane which fell into the sea four miles north to Iranathivu island had broken up into 16 pieces in the missile attack.

The wreckage of the plane was salvaged in May last year.