Keralite nurse, toddler son killed in Libyan blast

March 26, 2016

Kochi, Mar 26: A Keralite nurse working in Libya and her one-and-half-year-old son have been killed in a bomb blast in the ongoing civil strife in that country, her family said on Saturday.

Sunu Sathyan and the toddler were sleeping in their house when it was rocked by an explosion, killing them on Friday, her father Sathyan Nair, hailing from Kondadu in Kottayam district, said.

The victim was working as a nurse in Zawia Medical centre Az Zawiya, Libya. Her husband Vipin Kumar, who is a male nurse in Libya, was away on duty.

Father seeks return of bodies

Mr. Nair has sought government help to bring back the bodies.

“Yesterday [on Friday] I got information through phone that my daughter and her one-and-a-half-year-old baby died in a bomb blast at her residence while they were sleeping,” he said in his letter to the government. He said he got only this much information from her fellow employees and relatives.

I have sought details: Sushma

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said she has sought details from Indian embassy in the violence-hit country.

“I have asked for a report reg [regarding] the death of an Indian nurse and her child from our Ambassador in Libya,” Ms. Swaraj tweeted.

Mr. Nair, in his letter through Kaduthuruthy MLA Mons Joseph, sought help to bring back the bodies of his daughter and grandson.

“I came to know that the blast occurred due to regular fights between the rival groups in Libya. So I humbly request your good self to make available the detailed information about the incident and help us bring back the dead body of my beloved daughter and her son, whom we have never seen.”

“I also request you to extend all help and protection to her husband, who is in a state of shock after the blast,” Mr. Nair said.

When contacted, Kerala Information and Public Relations Minister K.C. Joseph told PTI that the Kerala government has informed the External Affairs Ministry about the matter.

Steps on to bring back bodies: Chennithala

Meanwhile, State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said eight to nine people were stranded in Libya and efforts were on to bring them back.

“Kerala government is alert on this issue. We are in touch with the External Affairs Ministry and the Embassy in Libya.We are trying to evacuate all the people who are stranded there,” Mr. Chennithala told PTI.

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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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