Pic: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 22: Members of Samarasya Mangaluru paid tribute to the victims of the tragic Mangaluru air crash that occurred near the Mangaluru International Airport 16 years ago on May 22, 2010.

The office-bearers visited the memorial constructed near Tannirbhavi and offered floral tributes in memory of those who lost their lives in the devastating air disaster.

On the occasion, Samarasya Mangaluru president Manjula Nayak, Renuka Shetty, Prathibha Shetty, Chithra Kini, Vidya Shenoy, Mamatha Kudva and others were present and paid floral respects at the memorial.

Air India Express Flight 812 (a Boeing 737-800) crashed after overshooting the 'table-top' runway at Mangalore International Airport. The aircraft plunged into a gorge and burst into flames, killing 158 of the 166 passengers and crew on board, with only 8 surviving.

The Mangaluru air crash remains one of the darkest incidents in the history of Indian aviation. The tragedy also served as a wake-up call to strengthen focus on aviation safety measures.