Kerala plane crash: Rescue operations completed; 17 killed

At least 17 persons, including the pilot and co-pilot of the Air India Express aircraft, were killed in the incident  

Kozhikode: 17 people including two pilots were left killed in  the plane crash at Kozhikode International Airport. Several injured passengers were rushed to nearby medical facilities.

The Malappuram collector has informed media that rescue operations at site have been completed. The collector added that they reeceived several ambulances from nearby districts. It was a joint effort by NDRF, firefighters, and many others. We were able to evacuate all passengers in 90 minutes, said the collector. 

The last passenger who was stuck inside the plane for quite a while was also rescued by the team. 

PM Modi expressed grief and spoke to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan about the  incident in Kozhikode.

The aircraft, which was part of India's Vande Bharat repatriation initiative to bring back expatriates from Dubai, skidded off the runway while landing at Kerala's Kozhikode on Friday night (August 7). The aircraft was 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 onboard the flight.

Also watch: Kerala: Vande Bharat Mission Air India Express flight skids off runway; passengers injured, pilot dead

After the crash, Air India Express issued a statement of regret and added that flights under the mission will continue.