EAM Sushma Swaraj expedites repatriation of mortal remains of Indian victims in Istanbul attack

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday informed that mortal remains of Bollywood producer Abis Rizvi and Gujarati girl Khushi Shah will be flown back to India by Tuesday night. 

The two were amongst the 39 people who were killed in the brutal attack on a nightclub in Istanbul on New Year’s eve. 

The External Affairs Minister tweeted: “I have just spoken to Mr.Akhtar Hassan Rizvi and Akshay Shah in Turkey. Indian Ambassador Rahul Kulshreshth has made all arrangements for them. They r returning with mortal remains by Turkish airlines flight leaving Istanbul tommw night and reach Mumbai next morning.”

I have just spoken to Mr.Akhtar Hassan Rizvi and Akshay Shah in Turkey. Indian Ambassador Rahul Kulshreshth has made all arrangements /1

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 2, 2017

 

for them. They r returning with mortal remains by Turkish airlines flight leaving Istanbul tommw night and reach Mumbai next morning./2

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 2, 2017

Earlier External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Indian envoy in Turkey Rahul Kulshreshth was doing everything possible to send back the mortal remains at the earliest.

“The Ambassador is doing everything to facilitate repatriation of the bodies. We are also facilitating the visas of the family members who want to go there to personally collect the bodies,” he told reporters.

He said Rizvi and Shah had gone to Istanbul as tourists and they “happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time”.

Swarup said the government was waiting for a report from the Indian Ambassador.Rizvi, a prominent builder and Bollywood producer, is son of former Rajya Sabha MP Akhtar Hasan Rizvi.

Rizvi and Shah were among 15 foreigners who were killed when a gunman went on a rampage at the waterside Reina nightclub where revellers were celebrating the New Year.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday spoke to families of both Rizvi and Shah and conveyed her condolences.

Replying to a question on Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted nearly nine months ago from war-torn Yemen, Swarup said India has been in regular touch with Yemeni authorities and Saudi Arabia to ensure his safe release.

“We are in touch with authorities in Saudi Arabia as well as local authorities in Yemen and all efforts continue to be made to secure his early release,” he said.

(With Inputs from PTI)