The Nation (Nairobi)
17 May 2007
Nairobi — Kenya Airways has began giving part payments to the next of kin of victims of flight KQ flight 507 that crashed in a mangrove swamp in Douala, Cameroon 13 days ago.
The payments will be part of what the families will eventually receive on account of the crash that killed 114 people aboard the flight.
According to Kenya Airways' corporate communications manager Michael Okwiri the payments are being made to all families of those who died in the crash.
" Kenya Airways is still disbursing interim payments to the next of kin on account of any payments that may ultimately be made in regard to the incident. This is intended to help ease some of the initial financial pressure that the families might be facing. We can't talk figures here because the payments are personal," Mr Okwiri said.
A Douala-based travel agent, Mr Josshua Osih, said compensation for air accident victims is guided by the Warsaw convention on air travel which Kenya airways is a signatory.
He said under the convention, the airline will have to fork out $75,000 (Sh5.3million) for each passenger carrying a ticket.
He however said Kenya Airways can vary the payment upwards depending on their profitability and their insurers.
Mr Osih also said the airline was also obligated to handle funeral arrangements and transport costs for all the passengers who perished.
Meanwhile, an inter-faith memorial service will be held tomorrow at the Douala Catholic Cathedral.
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