Dubai, Aug 7: One may call it good luck, but for two Indian expats it was God who prevented them at the last minute from boarding the Air India Express plane that crashed in Kerala, killing at least 18 people on board.
According to India's Civil Aviation Ministry, the Boeing 737 aircraft on a flight from Dubai to Kozhikode overshot the runway at Kozhikode airport on Friday evening. There were 184 passengers including 10 infants, 2 pilots and four cabin crew onboard the aircraft.
Noufal Moin Vetten, an Ajman resident working as an office boy in a Sharjah school, was booked to travel on the flight and had checked in as per schedule.
Recounting his miraculous escape, Vetten, a resident of Malappuram, Thirunavaya, whose visa was cancelled a week ago, told Gulf News: “I was handed my boarding pass, but when I reached immigration, they told me I had to pay a fine of Dh 1,000 (Rs 20,430) for overstay. I had only Dh 500 (Rs10,215) with me.
"I called my school PRO and he told me to come back. He said they would follow protocols and pay the fines before sending me,“ he said.
Vetten was disappointed and called his family to let them know.
“When I heard about the crash, I was saddened for all the passengers. But I'm so relieved I missed it. God has been really merciful,” said Vetten.
Afsal Parrakodan, a resident of Abu Dhabi, had a similar stroke of luck.
“My work visa was cancelled about a week ago. After getting my boarding pass, I was told I had to pay a fine of Dh1,000 at the immigration counter, but I had only Dh500 on me.”
“I was very keen to board the flight and be with my family. So I called a friend who brought me the additional Dh500, but by then, my baggage had been offloaded and the flight's doors were closed,” said Parrakodan.
“I was feeling very sad and called my mother to tell her I had missed the flight. But a few hours later, when I learnt of the crash, I couldn’t help but feel relieved and thankful to God for saving my life,“ said an overwhelmed Parrakodan who plans to fly back next week.
Comments
Good photography, good organized program .
masha allah....congratulation TO Karnataka sports & cultural club team members.....
Timely move,congratulations to Karnataka Sports club.We need a center for sports & other cultural activities in Abu Dhabi .
Hope some organizations like BWF will initiate this move. Youths need winding up activities, which will benefit their body as well as character building.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE MEMBERS OF KARNATAKA SPORTS AND CULTURAL CLUB. IS THE OFFICE BEARERS ARE SAME FACES OF OTHER KARNATAKA S ORGANIZATION LIKE BCF AND OTHER MANGALOREAN ASSOCIATIONS OR NEW FACES ?MY HUMBLE REQUEST TO THIS CLUB, ADD NEW FACES TO THIS SPORTS AND CULTURAL CLUB. NORMALLY ALL THE MANGALOREANS ASSOCIATION'S OFFICE BEARERS ARE SAME.
HOPE THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS WILL ADD NEW FACES (THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SPORTS)TO THIS CLUB.THIS IS MY PERSONNEL OPINION.
WISH YOU ALL THE BEST ...........
Congratulations to Newly Formed Karnataka Sports & Cultural Club. Sports and Culture are the major aspects of a progressive society. Sports leads to Good health and Culture leads to good character. The name it self indicates that the organization has chosen the right objective.
May Allah bless this organization with his choicest blessings and make it a predominent body of social service to empower our Community and our Nation
A well organized event by KSCC
Very good move by Karnataka Sports & cultural Club.
&
Congratulation to all Board of Directors for their achievement.
Masha Allah,a good move,our youth need some kind solace amid this busy life
All the best-Karnatak Club,chosen right person to inagurate and right persons to lead
Congratulations for the whole team
Congrats Mr.Shafi...
Add new comment