Even as India grieves the loss of nearly 270 lives in the Flight AI171 crash, senior executives of Air India SATS (AISATS) were reportedly caught on video dancing at a DJ party in their Gurugram office, just eight days after the tragedy.
The video, now circulating widely on social media, has been met with widespread anger. Many are still awaiting the return of their loved ones' remains. As of June 21, only 202 of the 220 identified bodies had been handed over, with several victims still in morgues awaiting DNA confirmation.
Have a look at the viral video here:
AISATS Draws Fire for 'Tone-Deaf' Celebration
The June 20 celebration, reportedly attended by AISATS’ Chief Operating Officer Abraham Zakaria, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, and Bengaluru International Airport Limited GM Sampreet Kotian, has placed AISATS at the centre of a growing controversy.
AISATS, a 50:50 joint venture between Tata Group’s Air India Limited and Singapore’s SATS Ltd, handles airport ground services, including those for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed on its Ahmedabad to London Gatwick route.
The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff on June 12, saw the aircraft plunge into a hostel building in a densely populated Ahmedabad locality following a catastrophic engine failure. All 241 people on board were killed, along with several on the ground. Most bodies were severely charred, making identification dependent on forensic DNA analysis.
The company issued a statement in response to the backlash, “AISATS is aware of a video being circulated on social media that unfortunately is completely out of context. Notwithstanding, we sincerely regret any emotional discomfort this may have caused,” a spokesperson told IANS.
Public Anger Swells
For many, the apology rings hollow. The timing of the celebration, when victims' families were still waiting to perform last rites, has been widely condemned as callous and disrespectful.
The Gujarat government, forensic teams, and NDRF continue to work around the clock to ensure proper identification and handover of the remaining bodies.
