Pall of gloom over kin as hopes about survivors in air crash dim

Kochi, May 7 (UNI) A pall of gloom replaced anxiety here today as hopes dimmed about any survivors in the Kenya Airways crash, which included 15 Indians, at least six of them from Kerala.

Relatives, who had been waiting with their fingers crossed, for the past two days for news about the passengers of the ill-fated Boeing 737-800, which crashed soon after take off in Cameroon on Saturday, today found their hopes waning as Cameroon officials said that the wreckage of the plane was found sunk in a swampy area in the dense forests and there was little chance of any survivors.

All the Malayalees on board the aircraft were due to return home. Among them were George Joseph and Maria Joseph of Fort Kochi, who were to return here on Sunday for their son Vipin's wedding, George's brothers, who stay in Fort Kochi, said.

The couple was also planning a house warming for a new house built by them in Fort Kochi.

George (59), and Maria (53), had gone to Cameroon four years ago.

George was working there as a technical advisor with a tea estate.

Gracy Manuel (55), also on board the Kenya Airways plane, was to come here to visit her daughter Reena, who is pregnant. Gracy and her husband Francis had been settled in Coimbatore and had gone to Cameroon three years ago.

Kevin Neglin and his wife Shirly, also among the crash victims, were to come to Banglore, where their sons reside, Shirly's cousin Jaqueline Rodgrigues said here.

Also among the crash victims was N Gireesh (58), a native of Thalassery in north Kerala. He was working with a shipping company and was expected to reach Mumbai on Sunday. From there, he was to come home alongwith his son and daughter.

UNI