Relatives of the victims of an air crash in Sri Lanka attended a public display today to identify their belongings, over 15 years after the tragedy.
Sri Lankan police put on display items salvaged from the Russian-built Antonov 24 passenger plane, owned by the local company Lion Air. The aircraft had taken off from Palaly airport in northern Jaffna town on September 29, 1998 bound for Colombo's Ratmalana airport.
It disappeared off the radar 30 minutes after take-off. All 48 passengers and seven crew members, including two foreigners, were killed when the plane crashed into the sea.
All 48 passengers were Tamils.
Some reports have indicated that the plane had been shot down by LTTE rebels.
Belongings of at least 17 victims were identified today, police spokesman Ajith Rohana said.
The public was invited to visit the Jaffna Municipal grounds today and tomorrow to identify the personal belongings of the victims.
