Palakkad: The family of two-year-old Ayesha Dua prayed fervently for her safety when they heard about the Karipur plane crash on Friday night. But their prayers were in vain. By Saturday morning, the family was informed that the little girl did not survive the horrifying accident.
Ayesha was the daughter of Murthaza Fazal and Sumayya Tasneem, natives of Mannarkkad in Kerala's Palakkad district. She along with her mother Sumayya, 27, had travelled to Kozhikode in the ill-fated Air India Express from Dubai on Friday. Her mother, however, escaped with injuries and was admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.
Sumayya had talked to her father Rasheed over the phone after the accident, giving hopes to the family that both she and her daughter were safe. However, the news of the child's death was reported from the Kondotty hospital during the wee hours of Saturday.
Murthaza, who works at a private company in Dubai, has left for Kerala after hearing the tragic news.
Ayesha was born to the couple after five years of marriage. Ayesha and her mother went to Dubai on a visiting visa on March 1. However, their return trip got delayed due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
The family resided at Al Rashidiya in Dubai. Other families in the area were also fond of little Ayesha. Everyone had joined in the toddler's birthday celebrations recently, their neighbour Jiju told Manorama Online. A pall of gloom descended over the Malayali community at Al Rashidiya after Ayesha’s death was confirmed.
Last photo
Murthazha had seen off his wife and daughter at the Dubai International Airport on Friday. A photo of Murthaza, holding his daughter before their journey, was also taken. Little did he know that this would be the last picture with his daughter. Another photo had Ayesha sitting alone at the airport.
The Air India Express flight, with 191 on board, overshot the Karipur airport’s tabletop runway on Friday night, fell into a gorge and split into two pieces. At least 18 people, including the pilots, were killed and several injured in the plane crash.
Marital dreams shattered
Mohammed Riyas of Cherpulassery in Palakkad had boarded the flight on Friday with dreams of marriage. His family had found a bride for the 23-year-old, who worked at a private company in the UAE.
Riyas was active in student politics during his college years and was the chairman of the UDSF. His friends said Riyas, who was friendly with everyone, was in the forefront of social initiatives even in the UAE.
Malappuram native dead
A 51-year-old woman, who was returning home after visiting her son in the Gulf, also died in the crash. The victim was K V Laila Beevi of Malappuram. She along with her husband Ummar Kunnathil, 59, had visited her son Baneef Ummar, who worked in the UAE. However, she had returned alone after spending two months with her son. Her husband Ummar will leave for Kerala on Sunday evening.
