Two Indians among fatalities in Flydubai jet crash in Russia

Two Indians were among the 55 passengers who perished when FZ981, a Flydubai aircraft, crashed in Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia earlier today, officials have confirmed. Seven crew members also died in the crash.

“The two Indian names in the list put out by the Russian authorities are of Anju Kathirvel Aiyappan and Mohan Shyam,” an official source told The Hindu who also informed that the Embassy of India is in touch with the Russian Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergency and Natural Disasters (EMERCOM) for further details.

The passenger fatalities include 44 Russians, 8 Ukrainians, and 1 Uzbek national.

Earlier today Vladimir Puchkov, Minister, EMERCOM, held an emergency meeting of the working group of the Governmental Commission for FZ981 which was flying on the Dubai to Rostov-on-Don route. Following the crash, the air corridors around Rostov-on-Don were blocked by the Russian authorities and alternative flight corridors were created to facilitate fast emergency work. Russia has dedicated a 700-member emergency team to deal with the aftermath of the crash.

The ill-fated aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 crashed near the airport of Rostov-on-Don while attempting a second landing in the early hours of Saturday. Russian authorities have opened two hotlines for the families of the crash victims: +8 (800) 775-17-17 and +7 (499) 216-50-50 (designated line for English-speakers).