Air India Express Kozhikode crash: The flight, IX 1344, was coming from Dubai and carrying 191 people, including crew members. The accident happened at 7.40pm.

Kozhikode: At least 50 passengers of an Air India Express plane were rushed to a hospital after the aircraft snapped into two while landing amid heavy rainfall in Kerala’s Kozhikode today. All on board have been evacuated from the site of the accident.

The airline spokesperson said the aircraft overshot the runway as heavy rain battered the grounds. Kerala has been hit by heavy rain through the day triggering flooding and landslides.

There has been no official confirmation on casualties however a number of people have been severly injured, reports said. The pilot of the aircraft has died in the accident, BJP MP KJ Alphons said.

Flight IX 1344 was coming from Dubai and carrying 191 people, including crew members. There were 10 infants, two pilots and five cabin crew among those on board the aircraft.

The plane crash-landed at around 7.41pm. The Boeing 737 flight was a part of the Vande Bharat Mission under which Indians stranded abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic were being brought back home.

Initial photos showed the plane broken into two with debris all around.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said he has instructed the police and fire department to take urgent action in the matter.