Ancia's body to be brought home on Mon

Thrissur: The mortal remains of Ancia Alibava, who was among the 50 people killed in the Christchurch mosque shooting in New Zealand, will be brought to Kodungallur on Monday, said relatives.

The body has been handed over to the Indian mission in New Zealand, after post-mortem. The embalming procedure will take one or two days more, and most likely the body will be brought to India by Monday, said the relatives.

The flight carrying the mortal remains will reach Kochi at 3am on Monday. The body will be taken to Kodungallur by road, and the final rites will be performed by afternoon, sources said.

The family had earlier turned down the request of the New Zealand government to perform the last rituals in the island country.

Ancia Alibava, wife of Thrivallur Ponnath Abdul Nazar, was pursuing higher studies in New Zealand. Nazar and Ancia had gone to the mosque, where the shootout took place, to offer prayers. However, Nazar escaped unhurt.

Sources said Nazar is likely to return home on Saturday or Sunday.