Web Report

An Air India Express flight that departed from Dubai on Friday afternoon crash-landed at Kerala’s Kozhikkode airport. The flight skidded off the runway and fell 30 feet into a valley.

Reports said the aircraft split into two on impact. Local media reported there have been multiple casualties, including deaths and serious injuries.

K. Raju, a Kerala minister, told Indian a TV channel that two passengers are dead.

P G Prageesh, Chief of Corporate Communications at Air India Express, told media: “As per the primary information, there were 184 passengers on board the flight. The aircraft skidded off the runaway and fell into a valley situated near the airport. Rescue operations are underway.”

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted Friday evening, “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.”

He said the flight had six crew members, including two pilots. Media reports said one of them is dead. However, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor told NDTV two pilots were confirmed dead.

Neeraj Agarwal, Consul – Press, Information and Culture at the Indian Consulate in Dubai, confirmed that the flight was part of the Vande Bharat Mission. “The flight was carrying 174 adults and 10 infants. Majority of the passengers were families, and it included 128 male and 46 female passengers.”

The incident happened even as the south Indian state is grappling with heavy rains.