Defense Minister AK Antony has expressed profound shock and grief at the loss of over 150 people in the air crash at Mangalore airport on May 22. In a condolence message, Antony said: “I am deeply grieved and shocked to learn of loss hundreds of precious lives in the Air India plane crash today. I express my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved families. I also wish a speedy recovery to those injured in the crash.”
MoD sources confirmed that Antony and his deputy Pallam Raju won't be attending the Bangalore LCH event owing to magnitude of the Mangalore tragedy. HAL officials said that event will go on as planned but on a low-key. "We are shocked and it is very unfortunate something of this magnitude happened. The LCH event will now be a low-key affair," an executive director with HAL, said.
A moment for the dead at Mangalore.
A moment for the dead at Mangalore.