An Air India Express flight from Dubai skidded off the runway at its destination Karipur Airport, Kozhikod, on Friday, and broke into two. The flight, IX1344, was part of the Vande Bharat repatriation mission. As per the latest information from state authorities, the search and rescue operation is over and all injured have been shifted to various hospitals, reported ANI.
“14 dead, 123 injured and 15 seriously injured in Kozhikode plane crash incident at Karipur Airport,” Malappuram SP told ANI. The death toll has since been revised to 17. The number aboard the aircraft, as per a statement released by Air India Express, is 190.
“The rescue mission took longer than expected because of fuel leak,” Mallappuram Collector K Gopalakrishnan told media. Farhan Yasin, CEO at Aster MIMS Hospital – Calicut and Kannur, confirmed to Gulf News that they have received 36 patients and 10-15 more patients are in transit from Karipur Airport to the hospital in Calicut. Yasin said three people who were rushed to the hospital have been declared dead, including the pilot and co-pilot while seven are in critical situation and 15 are in stable condition.
“Doctors are evaluating the condition of the other patients,” said Yasin, adding “Most of the passengers sustained burns, fractures and head injuries.”
Pilot and co-pilot
The pilot, captain Dipak Vasant Sathe, has died, said Air India. Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe was an Indian Air Force veteran who retired in June 2003 as Wing Commander before joining Air India.
His co-pilot has also passed away, reported AsiaNet. 16 people hasve been admitted in Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode.