Air India Express plane crash: Air India plane crashed at Karipur Airport in Kozhikode on Friday. The plane was landing at the airport. It was a Dubai-Kozhikode Air India flight number IX-1344. The flight was being run under Vande Bharat mission. The cockpit and cabin suffered extensive damage. Deepak Sathe, the pilot of the plane lost his life in the crash. It was raining heavily at the time of the accident. The visibility at the runway that the plane was landing on was poor due to the rain. There were 190 people on-board including the flight crew. The crash took place at 7:38 pm on Friday evening.
The rescue and salvage effort went on till late at night. As per the last report at 2 am, 17 people had lost lives. The injured were admitted in different hospitals.
As the plane crashed, the first 5 rows of seats suffered extensive damage. It is being reported that it is highly unlikely that passengers seated in these rows would survive the crash.
The updates below give a sense of how the horrific incident unfolded.
Kerala plane crash | As it happened:
01:48 am - 170 people have been rescued so far.
01:45 am - Two teams constituted to investigate the crash. Air India and Airport Authority of India to investigate the crash. Both the teams have started for Kozhikode.
01: 07 am - There were 184 passengers and 6 crew onboard Air India flight (IX-1344), but we are currently confirming the details of the passengers. Unfortunately, the pilots have passed away & we are in touch with their families in their grief, Air India Express statement,
01:05 am - 2 investigation teams of professionals from Air India, Airports Authority of India & AAIB will leave for Kozhikode at 02.00 hrs & 05.00 hrs, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri informed.
12:05 pm - "As per the flight manifest there were 190 people on flight AXB-1344 including 174 adult passengers,10 infants, 4 cabin crew & 2 pilots. Unfortunately, 16 people have lost their lives. I offer my heartfelt condolences to their next of kin & pray for speedy recovery of the injured," tweets Hardeep Singh Puri.
11:45 pm - Death toll rises to 16
11:30 pm: 14 people lost lives in the mishap, says Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja.
11:26 pm - As per the latest information from state authorities, search and rescue operation is over and all injured have been shifted to various hospitals.
11:19 pm - State Health Minister KK Shailaja said, "The injured persons have been rushed to Kozhikode Medical College and other nearby hospitals. Those admitted are having serious injuries."
11:13 pm - All passengers except for one have been rescued. One passenger is inside the aircraft but he is safe, said MP ET Mohammed Basheer.
10:45 pm - 16 people confirmed dead in the accident
10:25 pm - "11 people have died," Kerala DGP tells India TV. Four people are still stuck in the debris.
10:23 pm - 14 dead, 123 injured and 15 seriously injured in Kozhikode plane crash, says ANI
10:08 pm - 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.
9:57 pm - "Locals have rushed to the crash site with their vehicles to volunteer in rescue work," Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan told Rajat Sharma.
9:55 pm - Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan speaks with Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
9:47 pm - Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan expresses shock over the tragedy.
The CM has asked all govt agencies to engage in rescue operations using all government facilities.
The CM has deputed AC Moideen, Minister for Local Bodies, to coordinate the rescue operations. AC Moideen has already left for Karipur from thrisur.
CM also has deputed an IG of Police to oversee the rescue operation. Fire and Rescue teams of two districts have also been engaged.
Health authorities have been instructed to provide all possible medical aid to save the lives of victims.
9:45 pm - The plane was being flowen
9:42 pm - "Shocked at the devastating news of the plane mishap in Kozhikode. Deepest condolences to the friends and family of those who died in this accident. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured," tweeted Rahul Gandhi
9:42 pm - NDRF teams rushed to Karipur Airport for rescue effort.
9:40 pm - Air India Express Flight No IX 1344 from Dubai to Calicut skidded off the runway. We will keep you updated as and when we receive further updates. Our helplines - 056 546 3903, 0543090572, 0543090572, 0543090575: Consulate General of India, Dubai
9:37 pm - The flight was a Vande Bharat flight
9:30 pm - Two deaths confirmed, number feared to rise.
9:30 pm - 10 infants were onboard the crashed plane.
9:29 pm - Image shows two pieces of the aircraft
9:27 pm - Reports of the death of the pilot, co-pilot reported to be in serious condition
9:20 pm - Out of 191 people on board, 174 were passengers. 5 comprised the cabin crew and 2 pilots.
9:15 pm - Aerial image shows two pieces of the aircraft
Aerial image shows the pieces of the crashed plane
9:00 pm - "Air India Express IX-1344, B737 Dubai to Calicut, person on board 191, visibility 2000 meter, heavy rain, after landing Runway 10, continued running to end of runway and fell down in the valley and broke down in two pieces," said DGCA.
