KAMPALA: Emirates airline is providing support to the family of one of its flight attendants who died on Thursday after falling from an open doorway of a passenger jet at the Entebbe International Airport in Uganda.
“We can confirm that a member of our cabin crew fell from an open door while preparing the aircraft for boarding on flight EK730 from Entebbe on 14 March 2018,” said an Emirates spokesperson on Friday.
“The injured crew member was brought to the hospital, but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, and we’re providing them with all possible support and care. We will extend our full cooperation to the authorities in their investigation.”
Francis Sekandi, spokesman for the Kisubi hospital where the female crew member was taken for emergency treatment following the fall on Wednesday, confirmed her death.
Emirates confirms crew member fell from plane
"We received her from the Civil Aviation Authority in an ambulance, but she was already dead," Sekandi said late Thursday.
Uganda's Civil Aviation Authority said an investigation into the incident has been opened.
"A female member of the crew appeared to have opened the emergency door and unfortunately fell off an Emirates aircraft that had safely landed and parked," it said in a statement.
Emirates meanwhile said "a member of our cabin crew unfortunately fell from an open door while preparing the aircraft for boarding".
The airline promised to "extend our full cooperation to the authorities in their investigation," the Dubai-based carrier said in a statement.
(With input from agencies)
