174 passengers skids off runway at Kozhikode airport; pilot, 16 others dead.
- 91 in serious condition
- 16 Death
- 4 stuck in aircraft, waiting for NDRF expert team.
Kerala plane crash live updates: At least five persons, including the pilot of the Air India Express aircraft, have been killed in the incident. Rescue operations are underway at the site. Several injured passengers have been rushed to nearby medical facilities.
At least five persons, including a pilot, have been killed as an Air India Express aircraft skidded off the tabletop runway and fell into a 30-feet valley, breaking into two pieces while landing at Kerala’s Kozhikode airport late Friday evening. Several passengers have been injured and rushed to a medical facility. Kerala Minister KT Jaleel confirmed the deaths. However, unconfirmed local TV reports are saying at least 10 people are feared dead in the accident. Initial reports say the incident took place at around 8.15 pm.
In a statement issued, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the “aircraft skidded off the runway, crashed into a wall and then fell into a valley, splitting into two.” The airline said the “Air India Express flight IX 1344 was a B-737 aircraft. There were 174 passengers, 10 infants, two pilots and five cabin crew on board. There was no fire reported at the time of landing.”
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, “I have instructed the police and the fire force to take urgent action in the wake of the plane crash at the Kozhikode International airport (CCJ) in Karipur. Have also directed the officials to make necessary arrangements for rescue and medical support.”
Former Union minister KJ Alphons tweeted that the front portion of the flight, which was carrying 177 passengers, split into two and that all passengers have been evacuated.
Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja said the injured have been rushed to hospitals in Kozhikode and Malappuram. She said some of the injured are in a critical state, especially at the Kozhikode Medical College.
TV Ibrahim, the IUML MLA from Kondottty who was at Mercy hospital in Kondotty said, “Two passengers, both women, have died. Some of the other passengers are in a serious condition and need to be shifted to other hospitals. We need more ambulances and volunteers here.”
The incident brought back memories of the May 22, 2010 crash of Air India Express flight IX 812 at Mangaluru International Airport. In 2010, following landing errors by the pilots, the aircraft fell off the cliff at the end of the runway and burst into flames killing 158 of the 166 people on board.
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