November 23 - Volga-Dnepr Airlines has confirmed that six of its crew members lost their lives during the terror attack in Bamako, Mali on November 20.
On November 18-19, an AN-124-100 aircraft operated by Volga-Dnepr was carrying construction machinery from Oslo, Norway to Bamako.
After the flight, 12 employees of the Russian airline were staying at the Radisson Blu Hotel to rest before their next flight. On November 20 the hotel was attacked by armed militants of the al-Murabitoun terrorist group.
Six Volga-Dnepr crew members were rescued during the rescue operation by special forces, and were brought to safety.
On November 21, the six remaining crew members were identified with the assistance of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Mali and were confirmed to have lost their lives during the attack.
The airline's flight operation control centre is working with the embassies of the Russian Federation and France in Mali, and a Boeing 737 aircraft is being prepared to fly to Mali in order to bring Volga-Dnepr's deceased colleagues back to Russia.
Volga-Dnepr says that its priority at this time is to provide support, comfort and assistance to the relatives of the company employees killed in the tragic event.
HLPFI joins Volga-Dnepr in expressing its condolences to the family and friends of the six employees that were killed.
The airline has declared a period of mourning and all the flags at its head office have been lowered in respect to its lost crew members.
