Five registered at consulate in London, two in Manchester
Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified in a statement that none of the seven Portuguese nationals who died in yesterday’s devastating plane crash in India were resident in Portugal.
The four men and three women were dual nationals, having been born in other countries.
They have been identified as Chandu Baguane, Santubhai Bica, Devji Lacmane, Girish Lalgi, Vanita Cana, R. Vassaramo Premgi and Hemaxi Shantilal.
Expressing “profound sorrow at the tragic accident” – and reiterating heartfelt condolences to the families affected, “in particular those of the seven Portuguese nationals who died as a result of the plane crash” – the ministry said that “so far, officials have ascertained that all Portuguese nationals have family living outside Portugal.”
Of the seven, “five are registered at the consulate in London and two in Manchester”.
“At this moment, family members are on their way to the morgues to identify the bodies,” the statement added, stressing that Portuguese authorities have yet to receive any kind of request for assistance.
Portuguese consulates have nonetheless contacted family members residing in the United Kingdom and offered any necessary support. The Portuguese Embassy in India has also expressed its willingness to provide any assistance that may be required.
“The Portuguese Embassy in India continues to monitor the situation in full coordination with the Indian authorities, Air India and the British Embassy in India,” the ministry’s statement concluded.
Today, the full death toll resulting from the crash of Air India flight AI171 shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad has still been quantified. All but one of the 242 people on board perished in the disaster, which also claimed the lives of a number of people ‘on the ground’ at the moment of impact.
Source material: LUSA
