Air India flight skids off runway, splits into two; 191 onboard

Air India Express aircraft from Dubai to Kozhikode with 191 onboard crashed after overshooting the runway and going into the valley after landing at Karipur Airport. Two people, including the pilot, have lost their lives so far.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

•  Air India Express Flight No IX 1344 from  Dubai to Calicut Crash
• The mishap took place due to heavy rains
• The flight broke into two parts after landing
• The incident took place at about 7.10 pm

According to the DGCA, the aircraft skidded off the runway, crashed into a wall and then fell into a valley, splitting into two.

Initial reports say the incident took place at around 8.15 pm. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, “I 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.”

Former Union minister KJ Alphons tweeted that the front portion of the flight, which was carrying 177 passengers, split into two and that all passengers have been evacuated.

As per eyewitness, there was smoke at the location of the crash and the aircraft seems to have split into two parts. Sources in the DGCA said “the aircraft overshot the runway, fell into a valley and broke up into two pieces. There are some survivors.”

As per local media reports, the pilot of the aircraft has died while the co-pilot is critically injured. The plane skidded from the runway into the nearby road as it landed during heavy rainfall, media reports say.

This story is being updated