At least two dead as Air India flight from Dubai with 191 passengers onboard splits in two as it crash-lands on runway in Kerala
- The Air India flight left Dubai and was overshot the runway in Calicut, Kerala
- Images on social media show aircraft torn in two with people gathered around
- Police reports say the pilot and one other individual were killed in the disaster
- Another 35 people were injured in the crash with 191 passengers onboard
At least two have died after an Air India Express plane flying from Dubai to Calicut with 191 passengers onboard skidded on runway and crashed into a valley.
The plane crashed in heavy rain after already aborting its first attempted landing at its destination at around 7.45pm (2.45pm GMT) today.
Images circulating on social media show an aircraft ruptured into two parts laying in a valley near Calicut airport, in the Indian state of Kerala.
According to police reports, the pilot and one other individual were killed in the disaster. Another 35 people were injured in the crash.
An Air India Express plane flying from Dubai to Calicut with 191 passengers onboard has crashed into a valley after overshooting the runway at its destination
Pictured: An aerial view shows fire engines racing to the scene of the crash today near to Calicut airport in India’s Kerala
Pictured: A view of the plane which split in two when it over shot the runway at Calicut airport in India’s Kerala today
Television pictures showed part of the fuselage of the Air India Express jet ripped apart, although there was no sign of any fire, at Kozhikode airport in the southern state of Kerala.
One television channel reported there had been a problem with the jet’s landing gear.
‘I am arranging hospitals for the injured passengers in the city and can confirm two deaths,’ local police official Sujith Das told AFP.
‘There are injuries too but we don’t yet have a number.’
There were ten infants onboard, according to reports. A photograph of a young girl who was allegedly on the plane and was found without a guardian has been circulating on social media.
A post reads: ‘This kid is found from spot where plane accident occurred. Nobody is with her and she is taken to Kondotty Hospital. Please share this.’
Reports suggested the plane ‘skidded’ off the runway after trying to land in heavy rain
A Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) statement confirmed the plane had landed in heavy rain before skidding into the valley
It is not known if the tweet is genuine but a second post claims the child has since been reunited with her parents.
‘Dubai-Kozhikode Air India flight (IX-1344) skidded during landing at Karipur Airport at around 7.45 pm (2.45pm GMT) today,’ Kondotty Police told news agency ANI.
According to local media, 15 ambulances attended the crash and have rushed the injured passengers and crew to nearby hospitals.
‘Second tragedy of the day in Kerala: Air India Express skids off the runway at Kozhikode, front portion splits, the pilot dies and lots of passengers injured,’ wrote former Minister of State for Tourism KJ Alphons.
‘All passengers evacuated. Very lucky the aircraft didn’t catch fire.’
Reports said dozens of passengers were taken to hospital and that there were at least 20 critically injured.
Air India Express said in a statement that there was ‘no fire reported at the time of landing.’
It said there were 174 passengers, 10 infants, two pilots and five cabin crew on board the aircraft.
Data suggested the plane had already aborted its first attempt at landing. A figure showing the plane’s flight path shows it was forced to turn around and try again
There were ten infants onboard, according to reports. A photograph of a young girl who was allegedly on the plane and was found without a guardian has been circulating on social media
‘As per the initial reports, rescue operations are on and passengers are being taken to hospital for medical care,’ it said.
An emergency services official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP: ‘Rescue operations are on but the rains are making it difficult.’
Television pictures showed emergency services personnel working in the dark and spraying the wreckage with water.
Kerala has been battered by heavy rains in recent days.
News18 reported that there was a problem with the aircraft’s landing gear, citing unnamed sources.