Air India Kozhikode Crash: PM Modi speaks to Kerala CM, promises all possible assistance

In an important development on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Kozhikode plane crash. During conversation, CM informed Prime Minister that a team of officials including Kozhikode and Malappuram District Collectors and IG Ashok Yadav had arrived at airport and were participating in rescue operation. He also informed PM Modi that state government had taken steps to provide treatment to injured. 

Expressing his pain over plane crash, PM prayed for speedy recovery of injured persons. Moreover, he promised that Central government would provide all possible assistance. Vijayan assured that all mechanisms of state government shall be used to deal with emergency. 

Read: Kozhikode Air India Crash LIVE Updates: Plane With 184 Onboard Skids Off Runway, Rescue On

Kozhikode plane crash

As per a statement from Directorate General of Civil Aviation, an Air India Express flight arriving in Kozhikode from Dubai fell down into Valley after landing at Runway 10 and broke into two pieces. visibility was 2000 metres at time of landing. re were 191 persons on board including two pilots and 5 cabin crew. Following crash landing of this flight at Kozhikode International Airport in Karipur on Friday, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan instructed Police and Fire Force to take urgent action.

He also directed officials to make necessary arrangements for rescue and medical support.  teams of National Disaster Response Force are being rushed to airport in Karipur. Minister AC Moideen will lead rescue efforts at Kozhikode International Airport. As per reports, fire was reported at time of landing. 

Meanwhile, Ministry of Civil Aviation issued a statement: 

"Air India Express flight IX 1344 operated by B737 aircraft from Dubai to Calicut overshot runway at Kozhikode at 19:41 hrs tonight. fire reported at time of landing.  re are 174 passengers, 10 Infants, 2 pilots and 5 cabin crew on board aircraft. As per initial reports, rescue operations are on and  Passengers are being taken to hospital for medical care. We will soon share update in this regard," Ministry stated. 

Read: Air India Plane With 170 Passengers Overshoots Runway At Kozhikode Airport; Many Injured

Read: Air India Flight Crash Lands: DGCA Confirms 191 People On Board, Boeing 737 Aircraft