Air India pays interim relief of Rs 25 lakh to 166 crash victims' kin

NEW DELHI: Air India said on Saturday it has so far released the interim compensation amount of Rs 25 lakh each to the families of 147 of the 229 deceased AI 171 passengers and also the 19 who lost their lives at the accident site. "The interim payment will be adjusted against any final compensation," the airline said in a statement.

Requisite documents of 52 others have been verified, to whose families the interim compensation will be released progressively,' the airline said. "Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident. We continue to mourn their loss and remain fully committed to providing support during this difficult time. Over a month ago, AI started releasing interim payment of Rs 25 lakh to the affected families, to help them meet their immediate financial needs," the airline said in a statement.

The Tata Group has also registered "The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust", dedicated to crash victims. "The trust has pledged an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 crore in respect of each of the deceased, and support for rebuilding the B J Medical College Hostel infrastructure," the statement added. "The trust will provide aid and assistance for alleviation of any trauma or distress suffered by the first responders, medical and disaster relief professionals, social workers, and governmental staff," it said.