A pilot and two passengers were killed after an Air India Express plane with more than 180 passengers on board skidded off the runway on Friday at the Karipur airport in Kozhikode in Kerala. At least 24 ambulances and fire tenders have been rushed to the airport.
According to officials of the Kerala Police, at least 35 people have been reported injured and shifted to various hospitals.
“We are still searching for around 100 people,” said officials who said that shortage of torches and incessant rain were causing the rescue process to halt.
India’s top aviation body, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has ordered a detailed inquiry into the matter.
The Dubai-Kozhokode flight X1344, a Boeing 737, had 184 passengers on board and landed at 7:41pm at the airport. According to airlines sources, it appeared to have overshot the runway.
“Air India Express flight IX 1344 operated by B737 aircraft from Dubai to Calicut overshot runway at Kozhikode at 1941 hours tonight. No fire reported at the time of landing,” Air India Express said in a statement. “There are 174 passengers, 10 infants, two pilots and five cabin crew on board the aircraft.”
As per the initial reports, rescue operations are on and passengers are being taken to hospital for medical care,” it added.
