Mangalore crash: No-show at Dubai airport saves nine people

For nine people, not boarding the ill-fated Air India Express flight from Dubai to Mangalore proved to be a blessing in disguise.

The nine fortunate persons who either missed or decided not to take the flight from Dubai are Merwyn D'Souza, Vasantha Shetty, Thresiamma Philip, Mohammed Ashfaq, Husna Farheen, Sanjeeva Babanna Hegde, Louiscarlo Vincent Geraro, Steveni Rego and Kunhikannan Chandu.

Though 175 people were supposed to travel on the aircraft, it had finally taken off with 166 passengers and crew members on board from Dubai.

A total of 158 people were killed when the Air India Express Boeing plane overshot the touchdown point during landing at the Bajpe airport, crashed down a cliff and burst into flames. There were eight survivors.