NEW DELHI: There was no information about survivors in Saturday's crash of Kenyan Airways flight KQ 507 close to Douala, the largest city in Cameroon, Titus Naikuni, chief executive officer of the airline, has said. Fifteen Indian nationals were among the 114 persons believed killed in the crash.

A statement from the External Affairs Ministry on Tuesday quoted Mr. Naikuni as saying on Monday night that the plane on a flight from Douala to Nairobi had crashed in a mangrove swamp, 20 km southeast of Douala.

"Mr. Naikuni said there is no confirmed information about survivors or any possible casualties. The search and rescue teams are still at the accident scene. As the accident site is inaccessible to vehicles, the recovery of bodies and investigation is expected to be a difficult and slow process," the release said.

Airways to bear the cost

Kenyan Airways has announced that it would bear the cost of two return tickets per boarded passenger for the next of kin who wish to travel to Douala.

Accommodation would also be provided for a reasonable duration by the airline.

The airline's passenger information centre in Douala can be contacted at 00 237-5296505/5296506/5296507/5296509.

Updated information is also being posted at www.kenya-airways.com

The High Commission of India, Nigeria, has deputed a First Secretary (Consular) to Douala in order to liaise, coordinate and assist the families and authorities in identification of deceased Indians as well as to transport the bodies that are recovered, the statement said.

A press statement on the Kenya Airways website on Tuesday added that rescue operations were going on under very difficult circumstances, but no survivors had been found yet.

"It is confirmed that the aircraft's flight data recorder was recovered yesterday [Monday] at the crash site and appears to be in good condition."

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