Payback time for ‘Bravehearts’: Air India crash survivors to build a hospital for rescuers in Kerala
On the second anniversary of the Air India Express flight (IX 1344) crash at Calicut International Airport, August 7, it is ‘payback time’ for the survivors. They have decided to pool their compensation funds in order to construct a new hospital building. Let’s learn more about this amazing contribution
About The Hospital Building
The structure will house a Public Health Centre (PHC), which will be the only government health facility in the vicinity of the crash site. They have raised 50 lakhs from their compensation to construct the PHC in order to express their gratitude to those who bravely performed the rescue mission on the night of the tragedy.
On August 7, the second anniversary of the tragedy, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to develop the PHC hospital building, which would include an in-patient facility, a pharmacy, and a laboratory. The MoU was signed by an active forum, which was formed under the Malabar Development Forum (MDF), with the District Medical Officer (DMO).
MDF chairman, Abdurahman Edakkuni said: “On the day of the accident, the nearest hospital was around eight km away. There is a PHC just 300 meters away from the crash site but lacks facilities. So the forum has decided to construct the hospital for the first responders who saved many lives on that fateful night. It’s a manner of showing gratitude to the locals who rushed to help the passengers.”
He also expressed gratitude to the forum for bringing in foreign lawyers to fight for the claim with the airline and the insurance company; almost everyone received insurance coverage.
According to sources, the insurance amount varies depending on the injuries sustained in the plane crash. Some received Rs 7 lakh, while others received more than Rs 1 crore. According to sources, those who suffered severe injuries have received more than Rs 5 crores.
On August 7, 2020, the Air India Express flight (IX 1344) from Dubai overshot the tabletop runway, fell into a 35-foot valley, and broke into pieces on impact, killing eighteen people, including the pilot and co-pilot.
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