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Merge 104.8 | 09 August 2020
Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has praised the swift response of local citizens who sprung into action in the wake of Friday’s [August 7] Air India Express crash at Karipur Airport in Kozhikode.
Flight AXB1344 carrying 190 passengers inbound from Dubai crashed after overshooting the tabletop runway and plummeting 35 feet into a valley below.
Latest reports indicate the death toll now stands at 18, including four children, with 22 passengers listed as being in serious condition.
Officials say this toll could have been significantly higher had it not been for the selfless actions of area residents who put aside COVID-19 concerns to rush to the crash site in aid of the injured and help transport them to local hospitals in private cars and taxis, as well as donate blood.
While the investigation into the crash — which saw the aircraft split in two — is still ongoing, early reports indicate that adverse weather conditions and and a “late touchdown” could be contributing factors.
In a Tweet on Saturday [August 8], Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan stated that the response time of locals and officials “made all the difference.”
Sources: The Indian Express, The National Herald India
(Also read: COVID-19 Oman: Government debunks rumour about school year announcement.)
