Bodies of Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Goa natives brought from UAE

They died of diseases other than COVID-19

29/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,KOZHIKODE

Back home: Bodies of Indians who died abroad being shifted from the cargo hold at Kozhikode airport.Special Arrangement

Bodies of seven Indians who died of diseases other than COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates landed at the international airport here on Tuesday.

The bodies — of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa natives — were repatriated via Flydubai cargo flight FZ 8189 from Dubai at 12.40 p.m., airport director K. Srinivasa Rao said.

He said the freighter aircraft departed for Dubai with over 18,000 kg of fruits, vegetables and medicines later.

Given to relatives

A senior police officer said the bodies were of Koshy Mathai and Sijo Joy of Pathanamthitta; Punnakkal David Shamy of Kannur; Johannan John of Kollam; Velayudhan Sathyan of Thrissur; Sreenivas Muthukarappan of Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu and Henrique D'Souza of Goa. The bodies were handed over to their relatives.

The bodies were repatriated after the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order permitting their transport subject to guidelines issued by various Ministries and government departments related to the management of COVID-19 and the submission of No Objection Certificates from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Clearance needed

Indian Embassies and High Commissions abroad can give clearance for repatriation of mortal remains of Indian citizens who died due to reasons other than the COVID-19 infection.