2 Indian Students Killed in Canada Plane Crash During Flight Training; Consulate Expresses Grief

Two Indian students were killed after a small aircraft crashed during a flight-training exercise in Canada, according to Canadian authorities and the Consulate General of India in Vancouver. The deceased students were identified as Manoj Sivakumar from Tamil Nadu and Srisaran Thirugnanasambantham from Puducherry. Both were in Canada for flight training when the aircraft they were travelling in crashed.

The Indian Consulate in Vancouver expressed condolences to the families and said it was providing consular assistance following the incident. Support is also being extended in connection with arrangements to repatriate the students' mortal remains to India. According to Canadian media reports, the aircraft was a Cessna 172 operated by Harv's Air, a flight-training organisation based in Manitoba. The aircraft was reportedly conducting a night training flight when it became overdue.

Search-and-rescue teams later located the aircraft near Kisbey in Saskatchewan, with both occupants found dead at the crash site. Reports said a fire occurred following the crash. Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has launched an investigation into the accident. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the flight and crash, while the exact cause has not yet been established.

The incident has brought renewed attention to the risks associated with flight training and the importance of aviation safety, particularly for international students pursuing pilot training overseas. Further details are expected as Canadian investigators continue their examination of the aircraft, flight conditions and other factors that may have contributed to the crash.