Statement Nine 20 May 13:00 UTC.
Communication with families
Afriqiyah Airways opened a dedicated Call Centre for families to collect and provide contact information and to make travel arrangements to Tripoli for those who wished to travel. Additionally, national governments opened their own Call Centers.
Afriqiyah Airways immediately assembled data management teams who have been collecting contact information from families. This information is needed to establish direct communication with families for the return of their loved ones, their personal belongings and to offer immediate support.
For more information and communication with Afriqiyah Airways directly, please contact us at +218 213 407 883 or +218 213 407 894 or use this email address
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. Please remember these points of contacts are for families only.
The identification process
Local government authorities have recovered the deceased and transported them to two local hospitals. International teams from the Netherlands, as well as other countries are cooperating to the highest standards to support this effort. Identification efforts have begun and are progressing based on international standards. Some individuals have been identified and released to families.
Unfortunately the circumstances of this loss are such that some identification processes will involve multiple scientific disciplines and examinations. This may take several weeks to complete.
Afriqiyah Airways understands how distressing it is for families to wait. We fully support the government’s process to ensure that all families have the opportunity to receive their loved ones. This process is based on internationally agreed standards between nations. All parties agreed to adopt the Interpol standards,You can access this document using this link: Interpol DVI Guide. Afriqiyah Airways also understands that there are different religious customs and needs and is working to accommodate those by consulting appropriate religious leaders and coordinating these efforts directly with nations involved.
The repatriation process
Once identification is complete and appropriate documents including death certificates are issued, the deceased will be repatriated in accordance with the wishes of the legal next of kin.
Many national governments have undertaken a direct role in this process, including direct communication with families and making arrangements for their repatriations.
Afriqiyah Airways is more than willing and prepared to offer these services in accordance with the family wishes. You may contact us at +218 213 407 883 or +218 213 407 894 or use this email address
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Please remember these points of contacts are for families only.
Family Assistance Centre
Immediately after the accident, Afriqiyah Airways established a Family Assistance Centre at a hotel in Tripoli. Travel and lodging was offered to all families and provided for those who decided to travel to Tripoli. Daily briefings continue to be provided to families.
Financial support to families
Afriqiyah Airways also understands that families may have immediate financial needs and would like to offer immediate assistance to the legal next of kin of the deceased. Each family that has contacted Afriqiyah Airways and provided contact details will receive private correspondence with the information on the mechanisms for this assistance. This information will be provided by our representatives in different countries.
The support process is governed by national and international laws. There is a dedicated team who will work with families and their representatives to provide this support. Families will be given direct contact details.
Afriqiyah Airways understands and respects the families need for privacy at this time. We will provide immediate assistance and invite families to contact our representatives when they are ready to do so.
The accident investigation
The investigation of the aircraft accident is governed by national and international protocols. The most notable of these is the international agreement named ‘Convention on International Civil Aviation Organization – ICAO Annex 13 Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation’. This agreement calls for multiple, international participants in the investigation. These participants include aircraft, engine and component manufactures and investigators from those countries that certify those organizations. Typically investigations take months to complete or even issue preliminary reports. Libya is leading the investigation in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 with accredited international representatives. You can access this document using this link: ICAO Annex 13.
Afriqiyah Airways understands and respects that all families want information about what caused this terrible tragedy, as does Afriqiyah Airways. We also understand that many unofficial sources will continue to offer possible explanations and probable causes. We kindly ask you all not to speculate until the official report is completed and the factual sequence of events have been determined. Anything else is just a speculation.
The accident site
The accident site has been secured and guarded by the Libyan authorities. This is an international, standard procedure. When the investigators are satisfied that they have collected all evidences, the site will be released to a team of experts who will recover and remove all wreckage. The wreckage will be stored in a safe place for future reference.
As requested by families, Afriqiyah Airways arranged visits to the accident site for families to pay their respect.
Personal effects
Afriqiyah Airways understands that the return of personal belongings carry significant value and attachment for many families.
Once the accident site is released by investigators, a team of experts will search for and recover the personal belongings of the persons directly affected. These belongings will be safeguarded and inventoried. Families will then be contacted and the personal belongings will be offered for humble return presented in the nicest possible way.
Retired flight number
Afriqiyah Airways has officially retired the flight number 771 and it will never be used again.
Afriqiyah Airways is fully committed to work with families through the Family Assistance process. Again, Afriqiyah Airways understands the sorrow and loss caused by this accident and offers its deepest condolence and support to all people affected by it.
