Jet Airways staff Nidhi Chaphekar becomes face of Brussels terror attack

Mumbai: Two Jet Airways cabin crew members — Nidhi Chaphekar and Amit Motwani from Mumbai — were injured in the explosions at Zaventem Brussels International Airport on Tuesday morning.

Nidhi's image, where she is pictured resting on a bench with an expression of shock and dust all over her hair and face, has been shared by millions across the globe with #PrayForNidhi trending on social media.

When this newspaper visited the home of Ms Chaphekar (40), both her teenage kids appeared worried, while her husband said that they were in touch with Jet Airways staff, but had not received any update about Ms Chaphekar since morning, which had upset them. Ms Chaphekar’s brother-in-law, Nilesh Chaphekar, said that she was an in-flight manager and had been working with Jet Airways for the past 20 years. She had left the house two days ago as she was to board a US-bound flight, which had a halt in Brussels.

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Mr Motwani, who has been with Jet Airways since 2005, has also been injured but according to his Facebook friends, he has posted about his well-being on the social networking website. Sachin Motwani, a relative, said that Amit’s mother had been crying since the morning and wanted to speak to her son.

When Deccan Chronicle got in touch with Jet Airways sources to know about the status of crew, they informed that both Ms Chaphekar and Mr Motwani were stable. The explosion occurred a few minutes after the flight landed at Brussels. All passengers were on board and both crew members got down to assist in the de-boarding process when explosions occurred. Immediately, both injured crew members were shifted to hospitals.

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There was no damage to four of Jet Airways’ Airbus A330 aircraft at Brussels Airport. The explosions occurred around 8 am near check-in counters of the departure level area that was teeming with passengers. Following the explosions, Brussels Airport was shut down and all flights were cancelled.

Jet Airways flights from India, US and Canada had landed at Brussels between am and 8.30 am on Tuesday, and were scheduled to depart on the same routes at around 10.15 am, informed a press statement issued by Jet Airways. “We are aware of the bomb explosions at Brussels Airport. Jet Airways is making all efforts to confirm the status of all its staff and guests. As per first information, all the Jet Airways aircraft in Brussels are safe,” said the Jet Airways spokesperson in the statement.

Commenting on the injured airline crew, Jet Airways, said, “Two Jet Airways staff have sustained injuries in the explosion at Brussels Airport. Both of them are receiving medical care at hospitals.”

Jet Airways Flight 9W 228 from Mumbai landed at Brussels Airport at 7.11 am Belgium time on Tuesday, while Delhi Flight 9W 230 landed at 8.08 am Belgium time. According to Mumbai Airport sources, there are two flights that operate from the city to Brussels. However as Brussels Airport is shut, all operations have been suspended till further notice.