Dubai flight crash: Kerala appreciates UAE govt for rescue ops

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government was today all praise for the UAE government, the airline staff and firefighters who played key role in the rescue of 300 people on board a flight from here that crash-landed and caught fire at the Dubai Airport on August 3.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also praised firefighter Jasim Elsa Al Baloushi, who laid down his life while rescuing the passengers, most of whom were Keralites.

“We appreciate the efforts of UAE government and those involved in the rescue operations. We also convey our heart felt condolences to the family of the deceased,” he said.

As many as 282 passengers and 18 crew members had a miraculous escape when the flight Emirates flight EK521 from Thiruvananthapuram to Dubai made the crash-landing.

The Boeing 777-300 aircraft caught fire on the runway shortly after landing.

Of the total passengers, 226 were Indians.

PTI