At least 16 dead after an Air India Express flight veered off the runway and broke apart while landing at Kozhikode on Friday. The incident took place around 7:45 pm while Dubai-Kozhikode flight with 191 passengers on board trying to land at Karipur airport. "Death toll in the Air India Express flight crash landing incident at Kozhikode rises to 16," says Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The ambulances and fire tenders immediately rushed to the spot. The injured passengers were admitted to Kozhikode medical college.
"A Dubai-Kozhikode Air India Express flight fell down into the valley after landing at Runway 10 of Karipur Airport & broke down in two pieces," said Directorate General of Civil Aviation. "There were 191 people on board. Visibility was 2000 meter at the time of landing," the aviation regulator confirmed. The aviation regulator ordered a detailed inquiry into the matter, according to the reports.
"Second tragedy of the day in Kerala: Air India Express skids off the run way at Kozhikode, front portion splits , pilot dies and lots of passengers injured . All passengers evacuated. Very lucky the aircraft didn’t catch fire," KJ Alphons, former Minister of State for Tourism, and Rajya Sabha MP.
The Consulate General of India, Dubai posted helpline numbers - 056 546 3903, 0543090572, 0543090572, 0543090575: Consulate General of India, Dubai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the rescue operation going on in Karipur airport. "My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest, Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter. He spoke to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, said Kerala chief minister's office.
"Dubai-Kozhikode Air India flight (IX-1344) skidded during landing at Karipur Airport at around 7.45 pm today: Kondotty Police," the news agency ANI reported.
"Have instructed Police and 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," Vijayansaid.
Incessant rains wreaked havoc in the southern state.
Here are the latest updates of Air India plane crash at Kozhikode:
-Rescue operations are now complete: Puri
2 investigation teams of professionals from Air India, Airports Authority of India & AAIB will leave for #Kozhikode at 02.00 hrs & 05.00 hrs. Rescue operations are now complete. Injured being treated at various city hospitals: Union civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri
-A formal enquiry will be conducted by AAIB: Puri
"All efforts are being made to help passengers. A formal enquiry will be conducted by AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau)," the civil aviation minister said on Twitter.
-Rescue operations are on: Puri
"As per the initial reports, rescue operations are on and passengers are being taken to hospital for medical care," the ministry noted.
-'Deeply anguished and distressed,' says Hardeep Singh Puri
Civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri said he is deeply "anguished and distressed" at the accident and relief teams from Air India and Airports Authority of India (AAI) are being immediately dispatched from Delhi and Mumbai.
-Deeply distressed, says President Kovind
President Kovind said he was deeply distressed to hear about the tragic plane accident and his thoughts and prayers were with the affected passengers, crew members and their families.
Kovind said he spoke to Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and enquired about the situation there.
-All passengers except for one have been rescued. One passenger is inside the aircraft but he is safe: MP E T Mohammed Basheer
-What NDRF official says
"The Air India Express flight which was coming from Dubai and was landing in the Calicut airport at around 7.40 pm to 7.45 pm, seems to have skidded off the runway and we must remember that it is a tabletop runway. So it seems to have crossed that runway and fallen into a dug up sort of place," NDRF official said.
-Injured admitted to Kozhikode medical college
According to information from Kozhikode medical college, seriously injured people have been admitted there. The condition of a mother and child injured in the accident was very serious, Kerala health minister K K Shailaja said
-MEA helpline numbers are open 24x7
We are deeply saddened by the tragedy of Air India Express Flight No IX 1344 at Kozhikode, said Anurag Srivastava, official spokesperson of MEA
MEA helplines are open 24x7:
1800 118 797
+91 11 23012113
+91 11 23014104
+91 11 23017905
Fax: +91 11 23018158
-One pilot dead
Police said at least 14 people were killed and 123 others injured. Abdul Karim, a police officer, said the dead included one of the pilots. He said at least 15 of the injured were in critical condition.
-Air India flight had 191 passengers
Rajiv Jain, a spokesman for the civil aviation Ministry, said there were 174 adult passengers, 10 infants, two pilots and four cabin crew on board the aircraft.
-14 dead in Air India plane crash
14 dead, 123 injured and 15 seriously injured in Kozhikode plane crash incident at Karipur Airport: Malappuram SP to ANI
-Pained by the plane accident in Kozhikode: PM Modi
"Pained by the plane accident in Kozhikode. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to Kerala CM regarding the situation. Authorities are at the spot, providing all assistance to the affected," said PM Narendra Modi.
-Police and Fire Force personnel have been deployed at the crash site: Kerala CM
Minister AC Moideen will lead the rescue efforts at the Kozhikode International Airport. Police and Fire Force personnel have been deployed at the crash site of the Air India Express AXB1344, B737 Dubai (DXB) to Calicut (CCJ): Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
-PM Modi spoke to Kerala CM Vijayan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on phone about Karipur plane crash. Vijayan informed Narendra Modi that a team of officials including Kozhikode & Malappuram District Collectors & IG Ashok Yadav have arrived at the airport & participating in the rescue operation, said Kerala chief minister's office.
-The aircraft broke into pieces
Initial images show that the aircraft completely broke into pieces. There has been no official confirmation on casualties however a number of people have been injured, reports said.
-All on board have been evacuated and the injured taken to the hospital, authorities said.
-There were 174 passengers, 10 infants , 2 pilots and 4 cabin crew on board the aircraft.
-Helpline numbers
Air India Express Flight No IX 1344 from Dubai to Calicut skidded off the runway. We will keep you updated as and when we receive further updates. Our helplines - 056 546 3903, 0543090572, 0543090572, 0543090575: Consulate General of India, Dubai.
-Union home minister Amit Shah: 'Have instructed NDRF to reach the site'
"Distressed to learn about the tragic accident of Air India Express aircraft in Kozhikode, Kerala. I have instructed NDRF to reach the site at the earliest and assist with the rescue operations," Union home minister Amit Shah wrote on Twitter.
-Deeply distressed: Jaishankar
"Deeply distressed to hear about the Air India Express tragedy at Kozhikode. Prayers are with the bereaved families and those injured. We are ascertaining further details," said external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
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