Victim's parents await DNA clearance

Family of Indian couple Shyam Mohan and Anju, who were among the 62 that died when the ill-fated Flydubai FZ981 crashed in Rostov-on-Don, are patiently waiting for DNA clearance before conducting the last rites.

Speaking to Emirates24|7 from Perumbhavoor, Jayan, Shyam’s childhood friend and neighbour said: “They are devastated. And to add to their pain, they know that they will never get their children’s bodies.”

He informed that Shyam’s father C V Mohannan, who is slowly recovering from a stroke from a few months ago, was admitted to the hospital after he complained of uneasiness. Even his mother was admitted complaining of chest pain. They have both since been discharged, and are back home.

“Even Shyam’s sister was admitted after her blood pressure dropped. The family is shattered.”

According to Jayan, the officials in India have collected the blood samples of Shyam’s parents and Anju’s mother, and have sent it to Delhi. From there, it will be forwarded to Rostov-on-Don, where officials will identify their remains based on the DNA samples.

“They will have to wait for a few more days before they get the clearance.”

Once the identification is completed, they can then travel to Russia for the last rites.

The family was scheduled to host a prayer meet for the couple, but it has been delayed since the parents were in the hospital.

Flydubai had announced it will pay families $20,000 (Dh73,500) per passenger as immediate relief following the accident on Saturday.

Shyam and Anju were returning to Russia, where they both worked as Ayurveda masseuse, after a 50-day holiday in their hometown in Kerala.

Also read: Indian couple were returning from holiday

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