Accra, Nov. 20, GNA - The State Insurance Company (SIC) on Monday said all victims of the June 5 Airlink crash in Accra and their agents should lodge their claims with Airlink. A statement signed by Mr K. Kunadu, head of public relations, said the solicitors are requesting further information on the crash and until these are fully met, no claims can be paid. The statement said the agreement between them makes it clear that Airlink, which is operated by the Ghana Armed Forces, is the only competent party to identify and give details of the injured persons. "In the circumstances, claim notifications received at the offices of the SIC have rightly been referred to Airlink for action as may be required," it said.

Several people died in the crash, which occurred in pouring rain as the F27 approached the Kotoka International Airport. SIC is the insurer of the plane. The statement said some victims of the crash have either through their solicitors or personal letters put in claims for compensated. "Others who have been discharged from the Military Hospital are still receiving medication and would obviously need time to fully recover before making any claims at all... Two victims are still on admission," it said. SIC said after the accident, Messrs Beaumont and Son, solicitors of the company's Reinsurers top handle the report on the liability claims, have since visited Accra two times from London to collect information for processing. "SIC is reliably informed that Beaumont and son have submitted a preliminary report dated July 26,'It said.

SIC said the solicitors have since October 16 made further information requests, which are being handled by the Ghana Armed Forces. "These requests are being given the attention they deserve. Until all the requests are fully met, no claims can be paid," the statement