At least 17 passengers, including two pilots, were killed and dozens injured when an Air India plane crashed into a runway in the Indian state of Kerala.
According to Reuters news agency, India's Ministry of Civil Aviation said that Air India's Boeing 737 had reached Calicut from Dubai with 191 people on board, including the crew, and crashed while landing in the rain.
The Kerala police chief said at least 17 passengers were killed in the accident.
Earlier, Superintendent of Police Abdul Karim said, "We fear that two or three passengers have been killed and 35 injured, but rescue work is still underway."
Local TV said the plane split in two due to an accident while landing in the run.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that rescue work was underway and passengers were being shifted to hospitals for medical treatment.
He said the plane did not catch fire after the crash.
According to the Times of India, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the police and fire brigade to launch rescue operations on an emergency basis.
He also directed to expedite other relief work including medical arrangements.
Early visuals from the crash site | Air India Express flight accident in Kerala's Kozhikode#AirIndia
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) August 7, 2020
Live Updates: https://t.co/YFm6P0aN0Q pic.twitter.com/MmALTAOMgy
According to the report, the crashed plane was sent by the Indian government to bring back the Indians trapped in Dubai due to Corona.
Passenger information centers have been set up in Sharjah and Dubai following the crash.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lamented the plane crash, saying, "I am saddened by the plane crash in Kozhikode. I sympathize with those who lost their loved ones."
He prayed for speedy recovery of the injured.
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2020
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed regret over the crash of the Indian plane.
In his message on social networking site Twitter, Imran Khan said, "We are saddened by the crash of an Air India flight in the state of Kerala, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives."
He prayed that Allah Almighty would give encouragement to the affected families in this hour of need.
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.
