AIR INDIA EXPRESS: At Least 14 People Dead, Several Other Injured As Flight With 191 Passengers Onboard At Calicut Airport [PHOTOS/VIDEO]

AXB1344 AIR INDIA EXPRESS flight carrying an estimated 191 passengers from Dubai to Calicut Airporthas crash-landed in Kerala, amid heavy rainfall, atleast 14 people have reportedly died and several others injured.

The flight AXB1344, B737 from Dubai to Calicut was part of the Vande Bharat Mission, meant to bring home stranded people from other countries amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rajiv Jain, a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Ministry, said the plane broke into two pieces on impact.

He said that no fire was reported at the time of landing.

“There are 174 passengers, 10 infants, 2 pilots & 5 cabin crew onboard the aircraft. As per initial reports, rescue operations are on & passengers are being taken to hospital,” he said.

“Dubai-Kozhikode Air India flight (IX-1344) skidded during landing at Karipur Airport at around 7.45 pm today,” Kondotty Police told news agency ANI. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a detailed inquiry into the matter.

The plane carrying 191 people skidded off the runway while landing, breaking in two. Dozens are wounded. Rescue workers are working in the dark but “rains are making it difficult.” Rain is making rescue operations difficult.

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