New Delhi: An Air India Express plane with 184 passengers on board including 10 infants skidded while landing at Karipur Airport in Kozhikode on Friday evening.
The Air India Express flight, enroute from Dubai to Kozhikode in Kerala, was about to land when the accident happened. After overshooting the runway, the aircraft broke into several pieces, reports said. One of the pliots has died while many passengers are feared injured, BJP MP KJ Alphons said.
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 @narendramodi @JPNadda
— Alphons KJ (@alphonstourism) August 7, 2020
Kondotty Police said that Dubai-Kozhikode Air India flight (IX-1344) skidded during landing at Karipur airport at around 7.45 pm today. Air India Express said that there were six crew members on board including two pilots.
The aircraft seems to have overshot the tabletop runway and plunged 30 feet down. This resulted in the aircraft splitting with serious damage to the cockpit area. There were around 140 people on the flight including passengers and crew.
#WATCH Kerala: Dubai-Kozhikode Air India flight (IX-1344) with 190 people onboard, skidded during landing at Karipur Airport today. (Video source: Karipur Airport official) pic.twitter.com/6zrcr7Jugg
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020
#WATCH Kerala: Dubai-Kozhikode Air India flight (IX-1344) with 190 people onboard skidded during landing at Karipur Airport today. (Video source: Karipur Airport official) pic.twitter.com/aX90CYve90
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020
Rescue operation underway
Rescue operation is under full swing to evacuate those stuck in the debris and transport the injured passengers to hospitals.
Kerala CM has issued instructions to the police and fire department to conduct the rescue operation at war-footing.
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.
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) August 7, 2020
PM Modi speaks to Kerala CM, leaders express grief
Prime Minister spoke to Kerala CM over the painful incident and discussed the assistance work being carried out by the authorities.
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 @vijayanpinarayi Ji regarding the situation. Authorities are at the spot, providing all assistance to the affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2020
Several other leaders expressed grief and shock over the mishap at Kozhikode airport.
Kerala has been hammered by heavy rainfall through the day. According to reports, flights are usually diverted to nearby airports if the weather is bad at the Karipur airport, since it’s a tabletop airport.
Helpline Numbers: 056 546 3903, 0543090572, 0543090572, 0543090575
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident.
