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Their actions saved our lives: EK521 passengers on crew

It was nothing less than a heroic moment for Emirates cabin crew when they successfully rescued 282 panicked passengers from Flight EK521, at Dubai International airport on Wednesday afternoon. The moment of crisis was handled in the best possible way, as the staff evacuated everyone safely from the crash-landed plane.
Rohini Raja Ram, a Dubai resident, says she didn't sleep all of last night, and is terrified to the extent that she is still shaking. "We were shouting, 'please help, please help'. I was traveling with my two daughters Harini, 10, and Mahathi, 4. When we saw smoke inside the plane, and people started screaming, we thought we were going to die and started hugging each other and crying. But, the cabin crew calmed us down and helped us jump off via the emergency slide. By God's grace, we are safe today and I am really thankful to God for giving me this second life," Rohini said.
Also on the flight were a Sharjah family, resident for 14 years. Jijy George, his wife Daliya David, and two children were shocked when they saw the plane caught fire after they evacuated. Jijy said, "My children are scared to fly now; it is not easy to forget whatever happened yesterday."
Dalia narrates their experience. "What we experienced while landing was a big jerk to the plane. I think it went up a bit again, and then crash landed. Immediately, the oxygen masks came down, the plane started filling up with smoke, and it got darker inside. People started screaming and shouting; soon, the emergency slides opened and the crew were helping people get out," Daliya says.
"There were old ladies sitting in the back; my husband went to help them and he suffered burns on his leg. We jumped onto the slide and were rescued; then, when we were around 200-300 meters away from the plane, it burst into flames. We couldn't believe our eyes. I couldn't move, and was completely frozen to the spot watching it," she recalls.
Daliya says the rescue operations were handled so well by the crew and ground staff. "I think everything functioned so quickly and well because it was Dubai," she notes.
Dinah Sam, another passenger, said: "I was travelling on EK521 with my two children Joshua (13) , Joel (10), and my relative Susan John. The minute the plane rose up again after the first attempt at landing, I knew something was wrong, but there was no panic. I just knew that God was in control. The Emirates crew and ground staff had the presence of mind to do what needed to be done. Risking their own lives, they ensured that everyone was safe. I know for sure it was God who protected all of us."
Life is getting back on track for all the passengers who were on the fated August 3 flight. They are now trying to get back theirs passport and other documents, and thanking God in their own way.
ankita@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Dubai