Abu Dhabi: The body of a young Indian, who died in an Abu Dhabi hospital while flying home to India from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, is expected to be repatriated during this weekend. Mohammad Saleem, 35, a native of Malappuram district in South Indian state of Kerala was pronounced dead at Mafraq Hospital.
“We are waiting for the police clearance and death certificate as their investigations into the unnatural death are progressing. Our officials are in touch with the authorities and we will send the body to the family as soon as the procedures are completed,” Ranjan Datta, manager of Air India, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, told Gulf News on Thursday.
He said the airline has designated an official for this purpose will bear the costs of the repatriation.
The Indian Embassy said it is in touch with Air India and will complete its procedures as soon as the required documents are submitted.
As Gulf News reported on Thursday, the plane made an emergency landing in the UAE capital after Saleem complained of discomfort. Air India Express flight IX-322 from Riyadh to Calicut landed at Abu Dhabi Airport at 3.51pm on Wednesday and he was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The initial diagnosis suggested cardiac arrest as the cause of death. The flight resumed its journey at 5.48pm.
Ahmad Shareef, a neighbour of the deceased said Saleem was working as an electrician for past 14 years in Riyadh. He was diagnosed with a minor heart problem a few days ago and doctors had advised him to undergo further check-up and treatment in India, as his medical insurance did not cover such procedures.
Saleem was planning to go on vacation after two months to attend the wedding of his younger sister and brother and the housewarming of his newly-constructed house. He brought forward his six-month vacation plans and his wife and two children, aged 6 and 3, and other family members in India were looking forward to meet him. “We never imagined that their happiness and hopes would be shattered like this,” Shereef said.
