Search still on for body of Indian killed in Iraq aircrash

Dubai, Nov 16 (UNI) The search for the bodies of an Indian and six crew members killed in a cargo flight crash in war-torn Iraq on Thursday is still on, reports said.

Questions are being asked as to how the Indian, Jaychandran Appukkuttan aged 44 from Kerala, was aboard the flight over Iraq as the Indian government had banned any of its nationals from working in Iraq, though it is often violated.

The family of Jaychandran left for India yesterday with the hope that the Indian mission in Iraq would be repatriating the body to India if found.

Jaychandran was a Falcon Aviation employee for the past 10 years. He leaves behind his wife and two children.

''It's a difficult situation for the family and friends. We are waiting for at least to get the body for paying the last rites.

The bodies have not been found yet,'' said Abu Baker, a family friend, according to the Khaleej Times.

The AN-12 cargo plane operated by Dubai-based Falcon Aviation crashed in an hour's time after it took off for Baghdad from Al Asad airbase in Anbar province. The crew consisted of five Russians and an Indian, all residents of Dubai and an American who worked in Iraq.

The cargo plane was carrying Fedex cargo from Dubai to Iraq, mainly for the American military. A FedEx spokesperson said: ''FedEx is closely monitoring the situation and is working with the contractor to investigate the situation.'' UNI XC SBA PM0730