According to Delta Air Lines, every passenger on board the aircraft that crashed and overturned at Toronto Pearson International Airport will get $30,000 in compensation, with no strings attached.
The airline affirmed that while the reason of the tragedy is still being investigated, the reimbursement will not affect passengers’ legal rights.
On Monday afternoon, Endeavor Air’s Bombardier CRJ900 crashed during landing, flipping over and suffering catastrophic damage to its wings and tail.
Four crew members and all 76 passengers miraculously survived. According to paramedics, 18 people were hurt, but none of them were in danger of dying.
The survivors said it was a terrifying ordeal. The aircraft first struck the ground, went flying back into the air, and then overturned. Some said they saw the horrifying sight of fire around the tail section, followed by dark black smoke.
Air crash experts attribute the saving of further major casualties to seat belts and the compactness of the aircraft.
The Transport Safety Board of Canada, supported by the US National Transportation Safety Board, is investigating the accident.
Delta’s quick compensation gesture comes in the wake of heightened anxiety over recent air crashes. While passengers breathe a sigh of relief at escaping the disaster, many are still waiting for an explanation of what went wrong.