An Air India Express aircraft skidded off the runway while landing at Karipur airport in Kozhikode and plunged into the deep valley below. At least 11 people have reportedly died in the accident, including the pilot of the flight, D.V. Sathe. According to officials, the wheels of the aircraft got jammed while landing which led to the mishap.
The incident occurred at 7.41 p.m. on Friday, when the flight from Dubai to Kozhikode skidded off the runway after landing at the ‘table-top’ airport. The aircraft with 190 persons onboard, including six crew members, battled heavy rains while landing.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Air India Express AXB1344, a B737 aircraft, with 191 people onboard, landed on Runway 10 amid visibility of 2,000 metres in heavy rain, but continued running till the end of runway, fell down in the valley and broke into two pieces. As per the Ministry of Civil Aviation, rescue operations are going on and the injured have been moved to the hospital.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu and Home Minister Amit Shah expressed their shock over the Air India Express mishap on Friday night. Shah tweeted: “Distressed to learn about the tragic accident of Air India Express aircraft in Kozhikode, Kerala.” The Home Minister added that he has instructed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to reach the accident site at the earliest and assist with the rescue operations.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted a message on Facebook saying: “While information is awaited from the authorities on casualties and injuries to the passengers, I pray that all the passengers have survived this terrible ordeal. My thoughts are with the crew, the passengers and their families and friends at this time.” BJP President J.P. Nadda has also expressed his sadness over the tragic incident.
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