DUBAI // The Indian consulate has been assisting passengers who lost travel documents in the fire that destroyed Emirates flight EK521.
The majority of the passengers on the flight from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – 226 in total – were Indian. Muraleedharan K, the deputy consul general at the Indian consulate in Dubai, visited the airport on Wednesday to offer assistance.
“We have requested all of the passengers who have lost their passports to contact us. As far as we are concerned, we’ve been informed that 14 passengers have lost their passports,” he said.
“We will be reissuing passports for these people immediately, once they have visited the consulate. They will not be temporary but permanent passports.
“I met some of the passengers and they will be coming to see me. All of the information they need is on our website.”
Mr Muraleedharan said any passengers who had lost belongings should contact the airline directly for assistance.
“We will help facilitate any compensation claim that passengers may have.
“The Dubai immigration department has said it will arrange a new visa for anyone who requires one, once a valid passport has been presented to them.”
Passengers of other nationalities were being assisted by Dubai Airports, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs [Immigration] and Dubai Police with issues relating to visa expiry and lost passports.
Emirates airline said it would not comment on compensation for lost items yet as the main priority at the moment was the wellbeing of passengers.
nwebster@thenational.ae
