An Air India Express flight IX 1344 operated by B737 aircraft from Dubai to Calicut with 191 passengers crashed after overshooting the runway at Karipur airport.
Also read: What is a ‘tabletop airport’ and how many are there in India?
Fire tenders and ambulances were rushed to the spot. Helpline numbers are: 056 546 3903, 0543090572, 0543090572, 0543090575
MEA helplines: 1800 118 797, +91 11 23012113, +91 11 23014104, +91 11 23017905. Fax: +91 11 23018158. Email: covid19@mea.gov.in
Few more helpline numbers: Airport Control Room - 0483 2719493; Malappuram Collectorate - 0483 2736320; Kozhikode Collectorate - 0495 2376901
Air India Express has also established helpline number in Sharjah at 00971 6 5970303.
Control rooms in Kozhikode
The Indian consulates in Dubai and Sharjah have also activated five helpline numbers to provide information to the family members of the deceased and the injured passengers.
+97156 5463903, +971543090572, +971543090571, +971543090575.
The helpline number to call in Sharjah for updates is + 97165970303.
Air India Express has also established a helpline number in Sharjah at +971 6 5970303.
Here are the live updates
Indian consulate in Dubai to remain open today
The Indian Consulate in Dubai will remain open on Saturday to help those who need assistance to travel to Kerala and provide information about the crash of the Air India Express flight that skidded off a hilltop runway and split in two while landing in heavy rain at an airport in Kozhikode, killing at least 20 people.
Kerala CM Vijayan to visit Karipur on Saturday morning
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will visit Karipur airport on Saturday morning. He is expected to reach Karipur on a chopper by 9 a.m. He may also visit the injured in hospitals.
Minister for Local Administration A.C. Moideen has been asked to camp at Karipur. Mr. Moideen has been coordinating the rescue and relief work.
The Indian Consulate in Dubai has tweeted:
"Consulate will be open tomorrow Saturday August 8 at 8 AM to assist all who want any assistance to travel to Kerala or any information related to aircrash incident. We are with all the families of injured and deceased and will do our best to assist them @MEAIndia@IndembAbuDhabi "
Investigation teams from Air India, AAI to leave for Kozhikode
Two investigation teams of professionals from @airindiain @AAI_Official & AAIB will leave for Kozhikode at 02.00 hrs & 05.00 hrs.
Everyone has now been rescued from the aircraft.
Karipur locals swing into action in rescue efforts
The locals at Karipur responded quickly and effectively soon after the Air India Express flight IX 1344 plunged into a 30-ft valley with a loud thud. They came running to the spot within minutes after the accident and began carrying the injured passengers and crew in whatever vehicles they got to hospitals.
Preference and care was given to children who were separated from their parents during the accident. Youngsters of Kondotty took care of the children and sent messages in various WhatsApp groups so as to identify the children. Many of them were soon identified, and claimed by their parents and relatives.
“It was the first time that we saw such a ghastly tragedy. But the shock never delayed us in helping the injured passengers and taking them to the nearest hospitals,” said Abdul Shameer, who was among the dozens of local people engaged in helping the victims before the police and Fire and Rescue personnel swung into action.
Dozens of ambulances from Kozhikode and Malappuram reached the airport within an hour after the disaster struck Karipur at 7.45 p.m. By 10 p.m., almost all the victims were shifted to different hospitals at Kondotty, Feroke, Kozhikode, Kottakkal, Manjeri, Malappuram and Perinthalmanna.
Those with more severe injuries were sent to Kozhikode. As many as 26 injured passengers were admitted at a private hospital at Kondotty. P.K. Kunhalikutty, MP, visited the accident spot.
Shamsuddeen from Akkode, who survived the accident, said that the flight had held over in the sky a couple of times before it landed. He said he could sense that the flight overshot the touchdown mark, careened off the runway, and tumbled down the valley.
- Abdul Latheef Naha
Minister for Local Administration A.C. Moideen is coordinating the rescue operations at Karipur with the support of the District Collectors of Malappuram and Kozhikode, and MLAs P. Ubaidullah and M. Ummer.
Passengers say that the aircraft made a delayed landing after three rounds near the airport. An official says it landed after 3rd iteration. There was fuselage leak. Some officials have said that the landing gear had failed, and the captain had emptied the fuel by holding three rounds in the sky before the risky landing.
Rajnath, Priyanka condole loss of lives
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he was “deeply distressed” to hear about the tragedy at Kozhikode.
“Prayers are with the bereaved families and those injured. We are ascertaining further details,” Mr. Jaishankar tweeted.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh : “In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the governments must take all necessary measures for emergency rescue and help.
“I have already requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation to order an immediate enquiry to find out the exact reasons behind the shocking accident. Emergency medical care and assistance should be ensured for the injured and financial assistance should be declared for the deceased,” he said.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “My heart goes out to the crew and passengers of the Air India plane that has crashed in Calicut and to their families. Our prayers are with you at this tragic and painful moment.”
Rescue operations over
Officials sources said that the rescue operations are over. The injured were admitted to 13 hospitals in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts.
Official confirmation says that there are 17 deaths and several others were critical.
AI Express Employees Union offer condolences to Sathe and Akhilesh Kumar
Captain D.V. Sathe who piloted the Air India Express flight IX-1344 from Dubai to Calicut that crashed on landing, killing him and his co-pilot. File
Dear all,
Hearfelt condolences and prayers to our dear departed soul Capt. DV Sathe and First Officer Capt. Akhilesh Kumar of our flight IX-1344. Their loss has deeply saddened crew fraternity. They shall really be missed.
May GOD Almighty, give them peace and ease the pain of their family and friends.
We extend our deepest sympathies to pax who lost lives on Air India Express flight IX-1344 returning from Dubai .
This is to inform you that cabin crew received some injuries and are under treatment in Kozhikode hospital.
With sincere sympathy,
Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU)
20 killed and 173 injured as AI flight overshoots runway
About 20 people were killed and 173 others were injured when a Dubai-Calicut Air India Express flight with 191 passengers and crew on board overshot the runway in Kozhikode and fell into a valley, breaking into two portions, on Friday evening, police sources said.
-- Kerala Bureau
Selfless support from voluntary organisations and community rescue teams
A number of voluntary organisations and community rescue teams stepped in with their selfless support to speed up the hospitalisation of the injured passengers and save the maximum passengers. The sufficient number of rescue vehicles and ambulances reached the accident spot very quickly with the prompt coordination role played by such voluntary groups.
The call of various hospitals to find the maximum number of voluntary blood donors in reserve was addressed on time by many regional blood donors’ forums in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. The Kozhikode Collector’s request for finding blood donors also evoked a speedy response from many to meet the challenge.
Apart from the emergency medical care arrangements made at the Kozhikode Medical College and Government General Hospital, managements of leading private Hospitals in Kozhikode city such as Aster MIMS, Baby Memorial and MEITRA dedicated their facilities for availing quick medical support for the accident victims. A number of other smaller hospitals played a commendable role in availing emergency medical care to the injured before they were being shifted to other hospitals.
The social media groups controlled by various voluntary organisations also stood by the Disaster Management Authority in the rescue mission and circulated the emergency help requests in various forums for mobilising backup support. The identification of some of the victims and the fellow passengers were done with the support of such groups.
People’s representatives and doctors from various private hospitals too turned up with their spot support to the Disaster Management Authority to manage the situation and avail quick medical aid for the victims. Many of them reached the spot to directly oversee the rescue operations and provide them with the required ground support.
In Kozhikode district, a separate helpline (0495-2376901) too was opened on Friday night to coordinate the rescue activities and pass confirmed information to the relatives of the passengers.
-- Mithosh Joseph
2011 report flagged unsafe conditions at Calicut airport
According to an aviation safety report submitted to the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2011, the runway at Calicut International airport where an Air India Express flight from Dubai overshot the runway resulting in the death of at least 11 persons, was unsafe for flight operations due to inadequate safety area along the runway and at the end of the runway to safeguard against planes skidding off.
“The down slope at the end of the runway 10, on which the accident took place, has a very steep down slope. There is only a 90 metre safety area at the end of the runway, which should be at least 200 metres. Similarly, on both sides of the runway there is only 75 metre of safety area, when that should be at least 150 metres,” says aviation safety expert Mohan Ranganathan, who prepared the as part of the Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Committee.
20 passengers critical
The condition of about 20 passengers in various hospitals in Kozhikode and Manjeri Medical Colleges remain critical, said the official sources.
16 killed as AI flight overshoots runway
Sixteen people were killed and several others injured when a Dubai-Calicut Air India Express flight with 191 passengers and crew on board overshot the runway in Kozhikode and fell into a valley, breaking into two portions, on Friday evening, police sources said.
Telephone numbers for contacting injured passengers admitted to various hospitals:
Scenes at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital after an Air India flight overshoots the runway at Karipur airport, on August 7, 2020.
Kozhikode Medical College Hospital: 8547616121
Baby Memorial Hospital: 9388955466 and 8547754909
Aster MIMS Hospital: 9447636145 and 9846338846
Mythra Hospital: 9446344326 and 9496042881
Beach Hospital: 9846042881 and 8547616019
Anguished and distressed, says Hardeep Puri
Union Minister for Civil Aviation Hardeep S. Puri said that he is deeply anguished and distressed at the air accident in Kozhikode. The @FlywithIX flight number AXB-1344 on its way from Dubai to Kozhikode with 191 persons on board, overshot the runway in rainy conditions & went down 35 ft. into a slope before breaking up into two pieces.
He added that ‘We are in touch with local authorities.’ State police have reported 11 deaths. Relief teams from Air India & AAI are being immediately dispatched from Delhi & Mumbai. All efforts being made to help passengers. A formal enquiry will be conducted by AAIB.
Deeply distressed to hear about the tragic crash, says President
In a tweet, President Ram Nath Kovind says "Deeply distressed to hear about the tragic plane crash of Air India Express flight at Kozhikode, Kerala. Spoke to @KeralaGovernor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan and inquired about the situation. Thoughts and prayers with affected passengers, crew members and their families."
MEA helplines
The Ministry of External Affairs says "We are deeply saddened by the tragedy of Air India Express Flight No IX 1344 at Kozhikode."
They also said that helplines are open 24x7: 1800 118 797, +91 11 23012113, +91 11 23014104, +91 11 23017905. Fax: +91 11 23018158.
Email: covid19@mea.gov.in
Indian consulate will be available for any assistance, says Aman Puri
Dr. Aman Puri, Consul General of India says “We pray for the wellbeing of passengers and crew and will keep you updated as and when we receive further updates.”
He also said the Indian consulate will be available for any assistance it may be able to render at this time of grief.
“We convey our deepest condolences to the family members of those who have been injured in this tragic incident, and we are obtaining more information from the relevant authorities on the ground at Calicut International Airport,” Mr. Puri said.
-- PTI
16, including the pilot, killed
A view of the ill-fated Air India flight from Dubai which overshoots the runway at Karipur airport in Kozhikode, on August 7, 2020.
Official sources added that 15 people, including the pilot, were killed in the Air India Express flight accident at Karipur on Friday.
The deceased include: Deepak V Sathe, captain at Air India and co pilot Akhilesh. Wing Cdr (retd) Deepak Vasanth Sathe, who piloted the ill-fated aircraft, was a decorated test pilot of the IAF.
MCH Kozhikode (Kozhikode Medical College)
1. Saheer sayeed
2. Mohd. Riyas
3. Female Unknown
4. Female Unknown
5. Baby unknown
MIMS (Aster MIMS Hospital Kozhikode)
1) Deepak
2) Akilesh
Mythra (Mythra Hospital Kozhikode)
1) Sharafudheen
2) Rajeevan
My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones, says Modi
In his tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says "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 Pinarayi Vijayan ji regarding the situation. Authorities are at the spot, providing all assistance to the affected."
Several injured admitted to hospital in Kozhikode
Scenes at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital after an Air India flight overshoots the runway at Karipur airport on August 7, 2020.
At least 17 persons, including children, who were injured in the Air India Express mishap in the Calicut International Airport were admitted to the Aster MIMS Hospital, Kozhikode, by around 9.30 p.m.
Four of them were in a very critical state. District Medical Officers from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts and medical teams from various private and government hospitals were asked to look into the emergency medical care requirements.
The Kozhikode district administration quickly responded to the emergency call for help to rescue the injured passengers on board the Air India Express flight which met with the accident on Friday night. About 24 ambulances from various parts of the district were sent to the accident spot in minutes after receiving the distress call.
Fire and rescue Service units from various stations in Kozhikode district too rushed to the spot soon after the incident. For the smooth rescue operations, the police rose to the occasion and cleared the road traffic for the speedy movement of ambulances. Senior police officers too reached the spot for supporting the rescue workers.
Kozhikode District Collector Seeram Sambasiva Rao who is also the chairman of the District-level Disaster Management Authority reached the accident spot to coordinate the rescue operations along with the Malappuam district administration. The injured passengers were taken to various private hospitals in Kozhikode using the Airport taxi service.
Intensive Care Units of Kozhikode Medical College Hospital and the Government General Hospital too were prepared ready to treat the injured. A team of expert doctors assigned by the District Medical Office made special arrangements at the Government general hospital for admitting injured persons from the Airport.
The incident also triggered fear among many families whose relatives were on board the Air India flight. There were many of them waiting at the airport to greet their dear and near ones on Friday evening. A control room was also opened at the Karipur International Airport to exchange information on passengers (0483-2719493).
-- Mithosh Joseph
Two killed
Two people on board ill-fated Dubai-Calicut Air India Express flight killed in accident at Karipur airport, says the government sources.
- - PTI
PM speaks to Kerala CM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on phone about Karipur plane crash.
Instructed NDRF to reach the site, says Amit Shah
In his tweet, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says "Distressed to learn about the tragic accident of Air India Express aircraft in Kozhikode, Kerala. Have instructed NDRF to reach the site at the earliest and assist with the rescue operations."
Pinarayi Vijayan on AI accident
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said police and fire force personnel have been directed to take all measures for rescue and relief operations.
Air India statement
There are 174 passengers, 10 Infants , 2 Pilots and 5 cabin Crew on board the aircraft.
As per the initial reports rescue operations are on and passengers are being taken to hospital for medical care.
AI Express flight crashes in Karipur
The Air India Express plane that overshot the runway at Kozhikode’s Karipur airport on August 7, 2020. Photo: Special Arrangement
An Air India Express flight from Dubai crashed while landing at Kozhikode International Airport, Karipur, on August 7 evening. According to airport sources, the flight skidded off the rain-soaked tabletop runway while landing at around 7.45 p.m., and fell into a trench more than 25 ft deep. The fuselage broke into two.
Early reports said the flight captain and several other passengers were seriously injured. Unconfirmed reports said the captain and two others were dead. Many passengers had a miraculous escape as the flight did not go up in flames. It was the first such disaster at Karipur since the airport came into being in 1988.
There were 180-odd people, including crew members, on board the aircraft. The injured passengers were shifted to hospitals at Kozhikode, Kondotty and Malappuram.
The airport was closed following the accident.
Reactions
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on AI crash landing
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said "I'm shocked to hear about the crash landing of an Air India Express flight, coming from Dubai, at Kozhikode, Kerala. While information is awaited from the authorities on casualties and injuries to the passengers, I pray that all the passengers have survived this terrible ordeal. My thoughts are with the crew, the passengers and their families and friends at this time."
Tragic day for Kerala, says Shashi Tharoor
In his tweet, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor says "Tragic day for Kerala. First the deaths in Munnar & now this: I hear both pilots have died. Hope rescue efforts will succeed in saving all the passengers."
Published - August 07, 2020 08:53 pm IST
