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BREAKING: 17 Killed in Air India Express Flight 1344 Crash

An Air India Express Boeing 737 has crashed at Kozhikode International Airport, breaking in two after skidding off the runway. Although one of the pilots is reported killed in the incident, it’s unclear how many were injured, or how the pilots lost control of the aircraft while landing.

An Air India Express Boeing 737 crashed after skidding off the runway at Kozhikode International Airport (CCJ), with at least one reported dead and around 40 reported as injured. Several sources have confirmed the crash of Air India Express Flight 1344, with preliminary reports from the site showing the aircraft broken in two parts.

Aircraft Overran Runway, Broke Apart After Crashing in Valley

According to reports from the Hindustan Times, IX1344 was a routine flight from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Kozhikode. The aircraft was cleared to land on Runway 10 at the airport.

However, after landing, the aircraft did not stop and overran the runway. A statement from the India Ministry of Aviation given to CNN confirms the aircraft traveled beyond the runway end and skidded off, before continuing into a valley. Preliminary images from the crash site show the aircraft broken in two pieces: the nose and fuselage separated, with the wings nowhere to be found.

“Air India Express flight IX1344 operated by B737 aircraft from Dubai to Calicut overshot runway at Kozhikode at 1941 hrs tonight,” the statement reads, according to CNN. “No fire reported at the time of landing.”

According to the Ministry, there were 191 souls on board: 174 passengers, 10 Infants, two Pilots and five cabin crew members. The official statement did not elaborate on the condition of anyone on board, but instead said passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

In a statement on the Air India Express website, the company confirmed 17 people were killed in the accident, including the two pilots. The airline also announced that their four crew members were safe. In addition, at least 46 others were seriously injured, and were transported to hospitals for treatment. The information comes from the inspector general of India’s Central Industrial Security Force, speaking to CNN.

The Air India Express website lists IX1344 as one of the airlines’ “Vande Bharat” repatriation mission flights. The airline was operating the flights to bring back Indian citizens and residents back to the nation, while operating outbound flights for ex-patriates who wished to return to their home country.

This is a breaking news story. More information will be added as it is confirmed and becomes available. The feature image of an Air India Express Boeing 737 is for demonstration purposes, and is not meant to imply it is the airframe involved in the incident. 

Feature image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons via GNU Free Documentation License v. 1.2 

1 Comments
S
SamirD August 7, 2020

Amidst all the tragedy in the world right now, there is sadly more. :( Thoughts and prayers to those suffering.