Over 30 passengers of an Air India Express plane were rushed to a hospital after the aircraft snapped into two while landing amid heavy rainfall in Kerala's Kozhikode. Passengers have been evacuated from the site of the accident.
The airline spokesperson said the aircraft apparently overshot the runway as heavy rain battered the grounds. Kerala has been hit by heavy rain through the day leading to flooding and landslides.
There has been no official confirmation on casualties however a number of people have been injured, reports said. The pilot of the aircraft has died in the accident, claimed an MP.
The flight, IX 1344, was coming from Dubai and carrying 191 people, including crew members. There were 10 infants, two pilots and five cabin crew on board the aircraft.
The plane crash-landed at around 7.40pm. The Boeing 737 flight was a part of the Vande Bharat Mission under which people stranded in other countries due to the coronavirus pandemic were being brought back home.
Initial photos showed the plane broken into two with debris all around.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said he has instructed the police and fire department to take urgent action in the matter.
"Have also directed the officials to make necessary arrangements for rescue and medical support," Mr Vijayan added.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Twitter that he has asked the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to 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, 2020More details are awaited.
