Air India Express IX 344 aircraft that landed at Kozhikode International Airport skidded off the runway, leaving passengers injured.
Bengaluru: An Air India Express plane skidded off the runway while landing at Kerala's Kozhikode on Friday night (August 7). According to sources, passengers are injured in the incident. One of the pilots of the aircraft is believed to have been killed in the accident.
Rescue operation has begun. This aircraft was part of India's Vande Bharat repatriation initiative to bring back expatriates from foreign countries.
The aircraft has been identified as IX 344, Air India Express flight from Dubai to Kozhikode. According to reports, the plane was carrying over 170 passengers and six other crew members in the flight.
The plane skidded off the runway and crashed to a depth of 40-50 feet. Air India Express sources said the plane was believed to have moved on after landing on the runway which ended in the accident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the incident and added that he spoke to the Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
He said, “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.”
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