The family of a Caerphilly man killed when an airliner crashed into an Afghan mountain have demanded answers from the country’s government on the anniversary of the tragedy.
Mystery still surrounds the cause of the crash 12 months ago which killed all 44 passengers and crew on board the Pamir Airways domestic flight, despite repeated attempts by the families’ lawyers to unearth details about why the ageing Antonov AN24B aircraft crashed.
Among the 44 passengers and crew that died was father of three Chris Carter, 51, from Caerphilly, 28-year-old David Taylor from Stoke on Trent, and Clapham based Daniel Saville, 40.
The families of the three British victims have instructed aviation lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to look into the crash.
Jim Morris, a partner in the Irwin Mitchell Aviation Law team and himself a former RAF pilot, has confirmed that the heartbroken families have still not received any messages of condolence or indeed any communication at all from the airline.
He said: “We and our clients understand that the Kunduz to Kabul flight took off in bad weather before losing contact and crashing in the Afghan mountains. However, even this basic information has not been confirmed to us by the Authorities investigating the crash, leaving the families of those who died no closer to the truth.”
Clive Garner, head of Irwin Mitchell Aviation Law also said: “We are deeply concerned about a number of issues surrounding the crash of flight 112. Firstly, we still have no idea why this aircraft crashed causing such a devastating loss of life.
“Secondly, we have received reports that the Afghan Government has actually grounded all Pamir flights due to concerns about the airline’s safety and solvency.
“Thirdly, we have received reports that critical documentation in relation to the aircraft and its airworthiness were forged. As a result, we have been informed that the insurers of the aircraft are refusing to compensate the families of those who died.”
Mr Carter was a former soldier with the Royal Regiment of Wales and had served in Iraq, Bosnia and Northern Ireland.
He was in Afghanistan working with International Relief and Development, an organisation combating the country’s drugs trade and helping to rebuild its crumbling infrastructure.
His body was not flown home until three months after the crash on May 17, 2010.
Mr Garner added: “Enough is enough. The least that these families deserve are answers to their questions and reassurance that justice will be done.
“We are calling on the Afghan Government to urgently take control of this situation. We want the Government to ensure that the investigation into the accident is completed promptly and to the highest standards, and we want them to arrange for the immediate payment of full and fair compensation to the families of all of the victims, regardless of their nationality.
“It is only when these steps are taken will the families feel that justice has been done and they will finally be able to start moving on with their lives.”