Senior official from High Com in Nigeria deputed to Douala

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) A senior official of the Indian High Commission in Nigeria has been sent to Douala to assist the authorities in identifying the 15 Indians killed in the Kenyan Airways plane crash on Saturday morning.

Fifteen Indians were killed when a Kenyan Airways with 114 people of 23 nationalities on board crashed shortly after takeoff near Cameroon.

''The Indian High Commission in Nigeria has deputed First Secretary (Consular) to Douala to liaise, coordinate and assist the families and authorities in identification of the Indians killed in the Kenyan Airways plane crash as well as to transport the bodies that are recovered,'' an External Affairs Ministry spokessman said here today.

Meanwhile, Kenyan Airways CEO, Titus Naikuni, confirmed late last night that the wreckage of the Flight KQ 507 from Douala to Nairobi, had been located in a mangrove swamp 20 km southeast of Douala.

Mr Naikuni said there was no confirmed information about survivors or any possible casualties.

The search and rescue teams were still at the accident scene.

''As the accident site is inaccessible to vehicles, the recovery of bodies and investigation is expected to be a difficult and slow process,'' he said.

The Kenyan Airways has announced that they would bear the cost of two return tickets per boarded passenger for the next of kin who wish to travel to Duala. Accommodation would also be provided for reasonable duration by the Airways.

The travel request should specify: --Full Name of Boarded Passenger(s) --Full Name of Caller --Full names of proposed next-of-kin traveller(s) --Relation(s) of traveller(s) to boarded passenger(s) --Proposed Travel Routing --Proposed date of departure and expected arrival in Douala --Requested period of stay in Douala (if known) --Proposed date of departure (if known) The Kenyan Airways passenger information centre in Douala can be contacted at 00237-5296505/5296506/5296507/5296509.

A passenger information centre has also been opened at the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi, where queries can be addressed.

The public enquiry numbers are +254-20-3200353/3200354/3274349.

UNI