FlyDubai: Russian compatriots pray for lives lost in crash

Dubai - Several members of the Russian community in Dubai - as well as nationals from other former Soviet Union states - paid their respects to those who lost their lives in the crash.

 News of Saturday's flydubai Boeing 737-800 crash in Russia spread quickly on Facebook and Whatsapp. "I woke up early on Saturday morning and saw a message from a friend who works with an airline," said Irina Zakhavova, Dubai resident who works in real estate. "Then I started following the news online and on TV for the rest of the day. It was absolutely shocking and hard to believe that all crew and passengers were dead. My heart breaks thinking of families of victims. I was looking at the list of names. and, of course, with less than six degrees of separation, there were some friends of friends of friends on boards as passengers and crewmembers."
Zakhavova added, "I would like to express my deepest condolences to family members and all those who were close to the victims across all nations represented on board. This is a devastating loss and I hope they can all hold up in this situation."
Several members of the Russian community in Dubai - as well as nationals from other former Soviet Union states - paid their respects to those who lost their lives in the crash.
Chef at Skakza restaurant Ismail Mamedov said, "There are no words to express my sorrow for the nation's loss".
"I heard it from my colleagues in the morning, who read it on Facebook. They were talking about it when I came to work in the morning," says assistant manager at a restaurant Uzbeki national Abdurahim Kayumov, Dubai resident since 2008. "We are deeply saddened about yesterday's disaster in Rostov. For all of us who've lost fellow countrymen and women in the tragedy, words cannot do justice to our sense of loss," he said. "We pray that Allah gives the families strength during this difficult time".
A prayer service was held at St Philip the Apostle Russian Orthodox Church in Sharjah on Saturday, which was attended by about 20 people, according to Marina Aksenova, art director of the Church, and secretary to the priest. "There were no relatives of the victims. It was attended mostly by Russian compatriots who live here," Aksenova said.
German national, Jurgen Gasiecki, administrator for the church said, "The next prayer service will be held on Tuesday, 22 March at 10 am. Another special prayer will be held on the ninth day (Monday, 28 March), and again on the 40th day."
Ukranian national Rasa Cervova said, "Our condolences are with people who lost loved ones. Please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss. The prayers of our whole country are with you during this difficult time".
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai