Mumbai: SAA crew all safe
2008-11-27 15:30
Johannesburg - South African Airways (SAA) on Thursday accounted for all 12 cabin crew and passengers who were left stranded in Mumbai by terrorist attacks that have left over 100 people dead.
"SAA can confirm that the airline has now accounted for all 12 cabin, flight deck crew and passengers in Mumbai," read a statement issued by the airline.
A flight scheduled to go to Mumbai to pick them up, SA284, left OR Tambo International Airport at 12:15, and was scheduled to land in Mumbai at 23:30 (Mumbai time).
The airline would endorse all tickets for travel on other airlines, for passengers who were in Mumbai with valid SAA tickets.
The airline's chief executive Khaya Ngqula was quoted as saying in the statement: "I am greatly relieved that we have located all of our crew members in Mumbai. We are now working to ensure that we bring them, and our passengers, back to South Africa safely."
SAA said it had been informed that Mumbai's airport remained secure and safe. Foreign news agencies reported that teams of gunmen stormed hotels, a restaurant, a train station and hospitals in co-ordinated attacks in Mumbai, India's financial capital, taking westerners hostage.
A group of suspected Muslim militants has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
- SAPA