New Delhi, July 26 (IANS) The five youngsters who noticed fire from an Air India jetliner's engine and helped save lives of over 350 passengers Sunday would be given a cash reward of Rs.50,000 each for their alertness, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said Tuesday.


Karthik Bhadolia, Jaideep Gosai, Himansu Soni, Manan Soni and Moulik Jhelani would also be presented with a certificate for their act, she added. on a flight to New York

The five boys were on their house terrace late Sunday night when they saw the Air India jetliner take off around 2 a.m. and soon realised that flames were coming out of one of the engines. The flight was bound for New York.

They immediately called up the police control room who in turn contacted the Delhi air traffic control (ATC) and the plane returned safely.

"Their brightness and agility helped avoid a mishap and Delhi is proud to have such youngsters. Each of them will be rewarded with Rs.50,000 along with a certificate for their contribution to society's welfare,” Dikshit said.

“These youths will be facilitated on Independent Day,” she added.

The chief minister also appreciated the urgent response of police which led the air traffic control to clear the runway for the flight to return and land safely.

According to the airline, the pilots had reported a technical snag in one of the engines soon after take off suspected a bird-hit as the cause behind it.