Ethiopia air crash: Sushma Swaraj appeals for help to contact victim’s family

New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday appealed for help to get in touch with the family of Shikha Garg, one of the four Indians killed in the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash a day before.

The Minister in a tweet said: "I am trying to reach the family of Shikha Garg who has unfortunately died in the air crash. I have tried her husband's number many times. Please help me reach her family."

On Sunday, the Indian Embassy in Ethiopia confirmed the deaths of the four Indian citizens -- Garg, Vaidya Pannagesh Bhaskar, Vaidya Hansin Annagesh, Nukavarapu Manisha.

Sushma Swaraj shared the names of the victims on Twitter.

Garg was a Consultant with the Ministry of Environment and Forests. She was travelling to attend the UNEP meeting in Nairobi.

The Minister also replied to the relatives of the other three victims.

Replying to a relative of the Vaidya family, she said: "I have spoken to the son of Vaidya in Toronto. I am shocked you have lost six members of your family in air crash. My heartfelt condolences. I have asked Indian Embassy in Kenya and the India Embassy in Ethiopia to reach you immediately. They will provide help and assistance in respect of all your family members."

"I have asked Rahul Chhabra, Indian High Commissioner in Nairobi to provide them all help and assistance. Rahul - Please keep me informed," Sushma Swaraj tweeted responding to a relative of N. Manisha.

A total of 157 people were killed in the crash on Sunday which occurred shortly after it took off from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.