US condoles Mangalore air crash deaths

NEW DELHI - US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer Saturday offered his condolences to the families of the 159 people killed in the Mangalore air crash and prayed for the speedy recovery of the survivors.

“I was saddened to hear this morning of the tragic crash of Air India Express flight 812 from Dubai to Mangalore, and of the loss of so many. This is of course so much more difficult to bear knowing that so many children perished,” Roemer said in a statement.

The US stands ready to provide support in times of tragedy, he said, adding that “our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected”.

“We have reached out to the government of India to express our condolences and to offer any appropriate assistance,” the envoy added.

At least 159 people were killed when Air India Express flight crashed while landing at Mangalore’s “table top” airport surrounded by deep gorges and erupted in flames when it overshot the runway and plunged down a cliff. Seven people survived the crash.