Indian couple were returning from holiday

It’s almost like they came to bid farewell to their loved ones. Indian couple Shyam Mohan and Anju were returning after a 50-day holiday in their hometown Perumbavoor when the ill-fated FlyDubai FZ981 crashed in Rostov-on-Don.

Their families are completely devastated and inconsolable. “His [Shyam’s] parents are unable to come to terms with it. They were very close as a family. They were more like friends,” said Jayan, Shyam’s childhood friend and neighbour.

“Shyam was such a hardworking person, and always willing to help. It was so nice to see him, and spend time with him. I can’t believe he’s gone,” he told Emirates24|7.

The 27-year-old worked as a software consultant in a private firm before enrolling for training to become an Ayurveda masseuse. He wanted to join Anju, who worked in Russia as an Ayurveda masseuse for five years.

She helped him find a job in the same centre that she was working in, said Jayan, adding, “A year after their marriage, they both moved to Russia.”

Jayan’s father C V Mohannan is a carpenter. His mother is Sheeba and his sister Sowmya is married.

Anju’s family lives 15km away from Shyam’s house, and both families are in touch.

“We are planning to hold a prayer meeting this evening, but nothing is finalised as we want to give the family time to grieve,” added Jayan.

Talking to Emirates24|7, Vijayan, Shyam’s uncle, said, “It’s a huge loss to our family. He was such a good boy.”

“We are still in shock. We don’t know what to do.”

FlyDubai has announced that it is paying families $20,000 (Dh73,500) per passenger as immediate relief following the accident on Saturday.

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