Sharjah resident loses seven relatives in Mangalore air crash

The crash of the ill-fated Air India Express flight in Mangalore has left Sharjah-based Mohammed Farhan totally shattered as he lost as many as seven relatives, including young children and women, in the tragedy.

"There is virtually no one left in my family now. It is just fate that they all decided to take the same flight," 23-year-old Farhan said.

He said the victims from his family included young children, women and older men.

"They were travelling to Mangalore for various reasons," Farhan said.

His cousin Irshad Ahmed, Ahmed's wife Neha Parveen and their son were going on annual leave while his uncle and other distant relatives were going to attend a funeral.

"We were a big, happy family together. It's all over now," Farhan was quoted as saying by 'The National' newspaper.

Last night, the remaining family members were frantically trying to take the next available flight to India. 

"Most flights, including those arranged by Air India are full now. We are going through different flights and will somehow try to reach Mangalore," Farhan said.

According to Farhan, some of his other family members, who were also attending the funeral, took another flight instead of Air India Express.

"I thank God for that now," he added.