Kochi, India (CU)_ The great initiative was undertaken as a token of love and appreciation to the rescuers. The survivors and relatives of those killed in the Air India Express flight disaster at Karipur international airport two years ago have come forward to donate a sum of INR 50 lakh to build a hospital for the villagers who rushed to the accident zone and performed the brave rescue mission.
The hospital will operate as a Public Health Center (PHC), which is the only government health institution in close proximity to the accident site. They have collected the funds from the compensation they got and donated them to build a hospital for the PHC as a token of their appreciation to those who performed the brave rescue mission on that tragic night.
During the second anniversary of the tragedy, an action forum established under the Malabar Development Forum (MDF), signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the District Medical Officer (DMO) to build a hospital for the PHC with all the amenities including in-patient facilities, a pharmacy, and a laboratory. The Kozhikode DMO, R Renukode, and the MDF’s chairman, Edakkuni, signed the MOU. Mr Edakkuni said, “As soon as the health department gives nod, the construction will begin”.
MDF Chairman Abdurahiman Edakkuni told the media that the action forum, which comprises the survivors and the relatives of 184 passengers, has donated an amount of INR 50 lakh for this initiative. Mr Edakkuni said, “On the day of the accident, the nearest hospital was around eight kms away. There is a PHC just 300 meters away from the crash site but lacks facilities. So the forum has decided to construct the hospital for the first-responders who saved many lives on that fateful night. It’s a manner of showing gratitude to the locals who rushed to help the passengers”.
Eighteen passengers, including the pilot and co-pilot, lost their lives during the fatal accident. The AIE flight carrying 190 passengers from Dubai overshot the runway and crashed into a 35-feet ravine, shattering into pieces upon impact. The forum also hired international attorneys to fight for the claim with the airline and insurance company. As a result, almost everyone got their insurance coverage.
According to sources, the insurance amount differs for each person depending on the severity of their injuries caused during the aircraft accident. According to sources, “Some received ₹ 7 lakh and many received over ₹ 1 crore. Those who suffered grievous injuries have received over ₹ 5 crore. It’s all based on the injuries they suffered in the crash”. Soon after the disaster, the government provided the victims and their families with compensation.
