NE NEWS SERVICE
KOZHIKODE, AUG 7
Sixteen people were killed and several others injured when a Dubai-Calicut Air India Express flight with 191 passengers and crew on board overshot the runway here and fell into a valley, breaking into two portions, on Friday night, police sources said.
COURTESY: SOCIAL MEDIA
The mishap occurred at 1941 hrs.No fire was reported at the time of landing, an AIE statement said. Police said 16 people were killed in the accident.
The Civil Aviation Ministry said the flight IX 1344 operated by B737 aircraft from Dubai overshot runway at Kozhikode at 7.41 PM on Friday. “No fire reported at the time of landing,” it noted.
There were 174 passengers, 10 Infants , 2 Pilots and 5 cabin crew on board the aircraft, the ministry added. “As per the initial reports rescue operations are on and passengers are being taken to hospital for medical care. We will soon share the update in this regard,” the ministry stated.
Air India Express Flight No IX 1344 from Dubai to Calicut skidded off the runway.We pray for well being of passengers and crew and will keep you updated as and when we receive further updates.Our helplines 056 546 3903, 0543090572, 0543090572, 0543090575 @MOS_MEA @IndembAbuDhabi
— India in Dubai (@cgidubai) August 7, 2020
Air India Express has also established helpline number in Sharjah at 00971 6 5970303. People can call them as well for updates. Full details of injured and casualties are awaited. @FlyWithIX @MOS_MEA @IndembAbuDhabi
— India in Dubai (@cgidubai) August 7, 2020
Help centres are being set up in Sharjah and Dubai, the statement said.
A DGCA staetment said after landing at Runway 10, the plane continued running till the end of the runway and fell into the valley and broke into two portions.
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
Distressed to learn about the tragic accident of Air India Express aircraft in Kozhikode, Kerala.
Have instructed NDRF to reach the site at the earliest and assist with the rescue operations.
— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) August 7, 2020
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed shock over the accident.
CMO sources said Chief Minister spoke to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the latter assured him all help and assistance from the Centre.
Vijayan informed him that rescue operations were in full swing, the sources said.
Vijayan has also asked all government agencies to engage in rescue operations using all government facilities.
The Chief Minister has deputed state minister A C Moideen to coordinate the rescue operations.
An IG of police has been deputed to oversee the rescue operations.
Fire and Rescue teams of two districts – Kozhikode and Malappuram have been engaged. 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, Health Minister K K Shailaja said,