3 from Kerala feared killed in US apartment fire

October 29, 2016

Alapuzza, Oct 29: Three members of a family hailing from near Pattanakkad here were killed after a fire at their apartment complex in New Jersey . The news regarding their death was confirmed by their relatives at Putiyakavu on Friday morning.

Venugopal R, an assistant sub-inspector with the excise department, said his nephew Vinod B Damodaran, 44, wife Sreeja, 38, and their daughter Ardhra, 13, of Geethanjali House, Putiyakavu, Pattanakkad were killed after a fire in their apartment complex in New Jersey on Monday .

"Vinod, who was a research scientist at Rutgers University there, used to call us daily. But he did not call us from Monday .Though we tried to contact him, we could not reach him. Following this, we contacted the university officials and they informed us that the family was among the victims of the fire mishap. Their bodies were almost completely burned. So the process for a DNA test is progressing. Their bodies will be cremated there. We are trying to complete the legal procedures there as soon possible with the help of Indian Embassy, Norka-Roots and various Malayalee associations in USA," he said.

Vinod and family had visited Puthiyakavu in April. Vinod was working in Bombay and he and his family left Bombay for USA eight years ago. Ardhra was an eight standard student in New Jersey .

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RIP.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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