Kozhikode Plane Crash: Civil Aviation Minister visits the spot; announces Rs 10 lakh interim relief for deceased
Kozhikode: Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today visited the crash site of the ill-fated Air India Express Flight IX-1344 and announced Rs 10 lakh as interim relief to the family of each deceased. He also announced Rs 2 lakh for the seriously injured and Rs 50 thousand for those who suffered minor injuries in crash. The Minister said a detailed investigation into the mishap in which over 18 people, including the Captain and his deputy, lost their lives. Over 160 passengers and cabin crew were injured. The incoming flight from Dubai crashed during its landing at the Calicut Airport around 7.30 last evening. The aircraft while landing drifted away from the runway and hit the boundary wall. The plane was found severely damaged, thanks to the impact of the collision.
Puri, Minister visited the site of the crash and took stock of the situation and held consultations with senior civil aviation officials and other professionals. In a tweet, the Union Minister said, Digital Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder of the ill-fated aircraft have been retrieved. He said, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, AAIB is conducting investigations.
A special team including Governor Arif Muhammad Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other State Ministers and officials are also in Kozhikode taking stock of the situation. Air India Express flight that was part of Vande Bharat mission, carrying 191 passengers including crew from Dubai skidded off the table top runway while landing at Karipur Airport, Kozhikode in kerala late evening at 7:41pm yesterday .The plane after skidding from runway crash landed nearly 35 feet below and spilt into two pieces.
Later briefing media, Mr Puri announced 10 lakh rupees interim relief for each of the deceased, 2 lakh rupees for the seriously injured and 50 thousand for those who suffered minor injuries in Air India Express flight mishap in Kozhikode. The Minister said, reasons for Air India Express flight crash at Karipur airport being investigated.
