A plane crashed at an Indian airport
while landing at Kozhikode Calicut International Airport . India's civil
aviation minister said rescue operations are now complete. If you're just
reading in now. At least 16 people were killed in the crash, according to
CV Anand, the Central Industrial Security Force's Inspector General. Both
pilots were among the dead. Another 46 of the 190 people on board were
seriously injured.
The plane was on a repatriation
flight operated by the Indian government to transport Indian nationals during
the coronavirus pandemic, information on the airline's website showed. The
flight took off from Dubai Friday afternoon local time.
The cause of the crash has not been
determined, but reports from the ground showed rain at the time the plan landed
at Kozhikode international airport.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra
Modi tweeted about the
plane crash in southwest India, saying he was “pained by the plane
accident in Kozhikode." Rescue operations for the deadly plane crash in
Kerala are complete, according to India's Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh
Puri."Rescue operations are now complete. Injured being treated at various
city hospitals," Puri tweeted, adding that everyone has been evacuated
from the plane.
"Two investigation teams of
professionals from @airindiain @AAI_Official & AAIB will leave for
Kozhikode at 02.00 hrs & 05.00 hrs," Puri added. "As per the
flight manifest there were 190 people on flight AXB-1344 including 174 adult
passengers,10 infants, 4 cabin crew and 2 pilots. Unfortunately, 16 people
have lost their lives," Puri added "I offer my heartfelt condolences
to their next of kin & pray for speedy recovery of the injured."
