Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 22: On the 15th anniversary of the tragic air crash near Mangaluru International Airport, the Dakshina Kannada district administration paid homage to the victims in a solemn ceremony held on Thursday May 22.

The tribute event was organized at the memorial built near Tannirbhavi in remembrance of the passengers who lost their lives in the disaster.

Dakshina Kannada in-charge deputy commissioner Dr Anand, Mangaluru City Corporation commissioner Ravichandra Nayak, Panambur ACP K Sreekanth, and tahsildar Naveen Kumar were present at the venue and offered floral tributes at the memorial.

The tragic incident occurred at 6:20 am on May 22, 2010, when an Air India Express flight arriving from Dubai crashed while attempting to land at Mangaluru Airport located in Bajpe, Kenjar. Of the 166 people on board, 158 lost their lives, while 8 miraculously survived.

Among the deceased, several bodies remained unidentified and were buried on the banks of the Phalguni river at Kulur. A memorial park has since been developed at the site to honour the memory of the victims.