An Air India Express flight arriving from Dubai skidded off the runway on Friday night and following the impact the aircraft middle portion was wide open.
Local legislator T.V. Ibrahim said that he is at the local hospital near the airport where he has seen two bodies while around 50 injured people have been brought to the hospital.
The incident occurred at around 8.20 p.m. and despite the aircraft getting seriously damaged in the impact, there was no fire.
The aircraft had 191 people on board, including six crew members.
About 40 ambulances have reached the accident spot and are taking the passengers to various hospitals in Kozhikode and Malappuram.
According to information received here, the passengers sitting in the front row have been seriously injured.
The condition of 12 passengers who were brought to a private hospital is reported to be serious.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed Local Self Government Minister A.C. Moideen to rush to the accident site.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have expressed their shock over the Air India Express mishap on Friday night.
An Air India Express flight from Dubai to Calicut skid off the runway after landing and plunged deep into the valley below. The aircraft had 191 passengers on board, including six crew members. Two deaths have been reported so far while several others have been injured.
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.
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 (@AmitShah) August 7, 2020
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.
