Survivors hold key to unveiling mystery behind plane accident

The survivors of Tuesday's Kish Airline crash may offer clues to the accident cause – but this may take time as all of them are still unconscious, officials said.

Meanwhile, a cloud of confusion continues to hang over the final body count of the Flight IRK 7170 crash.

Kish Airline's management had given three different passenger manifest, each time adding to the list.

In the first manifest, only 39 people were listed. In the second, the list went up to 46 to include the name of the six crew members, who were all Iranians, and a baby.

In the third manifest, two more names were added – that of Filipinos Danila Navarro Manalese and Francisco Britanico Jr.

But on Wednesday, rescue workers unearthed another body, that of a four-year-old boy found after rescuers lifted the wrecked tail section of the aircraft.

Diplomats acknowledged the help of UAE authorities in facilitating the identification of the dead with DNA technology and the care given to survivors.

"I must acknowledge the efficiency of the Forensic Medicine Department of Dubai Police and the excellent services of the Al Qasimi Hospital who treated the survivors," said Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Libran Cabactulan.

"But it is important that we get the official and final list of passengers who were onboard the ill-fated aircraft."

The three survivors of the crash were reported to be in stable condition but remain unconscious yesterday at the government-run Al Qasimi Hospital in Sharjah.

Mohammed Sobhy, the Egyptian survivor, is still in intensive care, said Abdel Aziz Dawoud, Egyptian Consul General in Dubai.

Dawoud said Sobhy sustained wounds to his hands and had a broken leg. He also has some head contusions.

"We were told he may have to stay in the ICU for a few more days," said the Egyptian envoy.

"Doctors can't tell if the head injury is serious or just minor."

Meanwhile, the three other Egptians who perished in the crash had been identified by relatives.

The Iranian survivor was identified as Navid Khodaverdian. But his wife and a 15-month daughter were killed in the crash.

George Cruz, the Filipino survivor, was reported in relatively stable condition but still remains sedated in the hospital's Coronary Care Unit.

The Philippine Department of Labour and Employment is set to fly in the wife of George Cruz, the Filipino crash survivor, to identify him.

It appears that both Britanico Jr and Manalese missed the first flight at 8.30am on Tuesday from Kish to Abu Dhabi but managed to board the ill-fated Fokker 50 Flight 7170 bound for Sharjah.

"We're positive it's him," said Deogracias Estrella, brother-in-law of Britanico Jr after checking his body at the morgue.

Britanico's sister, Susie, declined to be interviewed.