At least 11 people, including a pilot, were killed after an Air India Express plane skidded off the runway in Kerala Friday, according to Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Commissioner of Police Sujith Das.
“As of now, 11 people including a pilot have died in the crash. 96 others are injured and are in hospitals,” Das told CNN.
“State police have reported 11 deaths,” Puri tweeted. “Relief teams from Air India & AAI are being immediately dispatched from Delhi & Mumbai. All efforts being made to help passengers.”
The minister also clarified there were 191 people on board.
“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,” Puri said.
Puri added that a formal investigation will be conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
