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Sat, 08 August 2020
Maha reports 12,822 Covid cases, tally tops 5L
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21:35 Maha reports 12,822 Covid cases, tally tops 5L
Maharashtra on Saturday reported a highest single-day spike of 12,822 new coronavirus cases, taking the tally in the state to 5,03,084, a health official said.
With 275 COVID-19 patients succumbing, the death toll in the state increased to 17,367, he added.
However, a record 11,082 patients were also discharged from hospitals, taking the tally of recovered coronavirus patients to 3,38,362, the official added.
There are 1,47,048 active coronavirus patients in Maharashtra now, he said.
In state capital Mumbai, 1,304 new cases and 58 deaths were reported.
The total number of COVID-19 cases in the city thus rose to 1,22,316 and death toll to 6,751.
Pune city reported the highest new cases on Saturday at 1,457, along with 39 deaths.
The total number of cases in Pune city is 69,500 and death toll is 1,744, the official said.
So far 26,47,020 tests have been carried out in the state. Maharashtra's coronavirus figures are as follows: Positive cases 5,03,084, new cases 12,822, total deaths 17,367, recoveries 3,38,362, active cases 1,47,048 and people tested so far 26,47,020. -- PTI
20:40 AirAsia aircraft aborts take off after bird hit
An AirAsia India aircraft departing for Mumbai on Saturday morning aborted its take-off at Ranchi airport after encountering a bird hit, said the airline spokesperson.
This incident occurred a day after an Air India Express flight from Dubai with 190 people onboard overshot the runway at Kozhikode airport in rainy conditions and went down 35 feet into a slope before breaking up into two pieces, killing at least 18 people.
"AirAsia India aircraft VT-HKG operating from Ranchi to Mumbai as flight i5-632 encountered a bird hit during scheduled departure at 11:50 hrs, today, 8th August 2020," stated the airline spokesperson.
The pilot aborted take-off and the aircraft was being inspected, the spokesperson said, adding that the flight was scheduled to depart once the aircraft is cleared for operations.
However, later during the day, the spokesperson said another aircraft VT-JRT from Kolkata is being made available as an alternative to ferry guests from Ranchi to Mumbai.
The spokesperson informed all its passengers are being attended to and served refreshments by its guest services staff at the Birsa Munda airport.
"AirAsia India prioritises the safety of our guests and crew and regrets the inconvenience caused on account of this delay," the spokesperson said.
Birsa Munda Airport Director Vinod Sharma said that after the bird hit, all the passengers were de-boarded and given snacks.
The plane was brought to the bay and thoroughly checked, he said.
At 3.30 pm, the plane was to take off again, but then sparks were noticed and it was once again brought to the bay. -- PTI
20:40 AirAsia aircraft aborts take off after bird hit
An AirAsia India aircraft departing for Mumbai on Saturday morning aborted its take-off at Ranchi airport after encountering a bird hit, said the airline spokesperson.
This incident occurred a day after an Air India Express flight from Dubai with 190 people onboard overshot the runway at Kozhikode airport in rainy conditions and went down 35 feet into a slope before breaking up into two pieces, killing at least 18 people.
"AirAsia India aircraft VT-HKG operating from Ranchi to Mumbai as flight i5-632 encountered a bird hit during scheduled departure at 11:50 hrs, today, 8th August 2020," stated the airline spokesperson.
The pilot aborted take-off and the aircraft was being inspected, the spokesperson said, adding that the flight was scheduled to depart once the aircraft is cleared for operations.
However, later during the day, the spokesperson said another aircraft VT-JRT from Kolkata is being made available as an alternative to ferry guests from Ranchi to Mumbai.
The spokesperson informed all its passengers are being attended to and served refreshments by its guest services staff at the Birsa Munda airport.
"AirAsia India prioritises the safety of our guests and crew and regrets the inconvenience caused on account of this delay," the spokesperson said.
Birsa Munda Airport Director Vinod Sharma said that after the bird hit, all the passengers were de-boarded and given snacks.
The plane was brought to the bay and thoroughly checked, he said.
At 3.30 pm, the plane was to take off again, but then sparks were noticed and it was once again brought to the bay. -- PTI
19:52 'Back home' selfie was crash victim's last post
A selfie taken by Sharufudheen Pillassery, along with his wife and three-year-old daughter in PPE kits inside the Air India Express flight from Dubai that crashed in Kozhikode, has gone viral as reports emerged that the journey turned out to be his last trip.
Before take off, Pillassery had posted the selfie, on his Facebook page with the caption 'Back Home'.
However, he did not make it.
The selfie shows the 35-year-old man and family in personal protective equipment kits and face shield onboard the AIE flight,which overshot the runway in Kozhikode and fell 35 feet into a valley below, killing 18 passengers.
While Sharufudheen succumbed to his injuries, his wife is seriously injured and undergoing treatment in a Kozhikode hospital.
Their daughter, who suffered minor injuries, has been handed over to her grandparents.
Another tragic case is that of 29-year-old Sahira Banu's whose dream was to get a government job for herself and though married with three children, that yearning never left her.
She had gone to Dubai hardly 10 months ago and had taken the AIE flight to pursue her dream, a relative said.
Her three minor children were also with her.
While two of her children, who survived, are undergoing treatment in two private hospitals, her youngest 10-month-old son died along with his mother in the crash. -- PTI
19:22 Rhino carcass riddled with bullets, horn removed found in Kaziranga
The bullet-riddled cacass of an adult female rhino with its horn removed by poachers was found inside the Kaziranga National Park, a forest official said on Saturday.
The carcass was spotted by the patrolling staff in Meteka beel area under Gabrai Anti-poaching Camp on Friday, he said.
Six rounds of empty cartridges were also recovered from the area, the official said.
The patrolling staff traced footprints of the poachers and found the carcass. he said.
One person has been detained in this connection by the Biswanath Wildlife Division and further investigation is underway, the official added. -- PTI
19:14
Prime Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a week-long campaign to free India of garbage and stressed that the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has been a big support in the fight against coronavirus.
Delivering the inaugural address at the launch of the Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra in New Delhi, which was also attended by students, Modi urged children to follow social distancing norms and wear masks to guard against coronavirus.
"Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has been a big support in fight against coronavirus," he said.
The week-long campaign to free India of garbage will be till August 15.
Modi said the Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's efforts towards cleanliness. -- PTI
19:02 Jaipur police told to probe plaint against phone tapping 'rumours'
Rajasthan Director General of Police Bhupendra Singh on Saturday instructed the Jaipur police to investigate the complaint lodged against the rumours that phone numbers of six MLAs holed up in a Jaisalmer hotel are being tapped, according to a statement.
The DGP said the information is utterly baseless, false and misleading" and asked Jaipur Police Commissioner Anand Srivastava to take immediate action in this regard, the statement said.
Amid a political crisis triggered by the revolt of dissident Congress leader Sachin Pilot against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the Congress had shifted the MLAs backing the CM to the Jaisalmer's Suryagarh hotel, accusing the BJP of the bid to topple its government in the state.
On Friday, it was claimed in a message circulated on WhatsApp that phone numbers of six MLAs lodged in the Jailsalmer hotel are being tapped.
The message was circulated with a list of phone numbers.
Reiterating his department's stand over the controversy, the DGP in the statement clarified that the Rajasthan Police did not tap the phone number of any legislator, neither in the past nor in present.
The allegations of recording conversation through an intercom facility of the Jaisalmer hotel are false and fictitious, he said.
The Rajasthan Police always acts to prevent illegal activities and illegal phone tapping is a criminal act, the DGP said in the statement. -- PTI
17:44 Corrective action after probe, says AAI chief
Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Arvind Singh on Saturday said 'corrective action' will be taken after receiving the probe report on the Air India Express plane crash at Kozhikode airport on Friday.
The airport in Kerala, which has a tabletop runway, is operated by state-owned AAI.
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is probing the accident at the Kozhikode airport that has left at least 18 people dead, including the two pilots of the plane.
The Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) have been recovered at the crash site.
Singh said rescue work is over and reasons for the crash would be known once the AAIB report comes.
"This report will tell us about all the issues... we are awaiting the inquiry report and then we will take corrective action," he told PTI.
On whether there were any safety issues had come to the notice of the AAI in recent times, Singh replied in the negative.
He noted that prior to COVID-19, there were around 70 departures as well as 70 arrivals at the Kozhikode airport on a daily basis.
After domestic flights resumed on May 25, there have been 10 departures and 10 arrivals everyday.
Domestic and international flight services were suspended in late March in the wake of COVID-19.
Domestic flights resumed operations on May 25 while overseas flights remain suspended.
However, special international flights are operating. The plane that crashed on Friday was operating a Vande Bharat Mission flight from Dubai to Kozhikode. -- PTI
17:16 Aviation expert flagged concerns about Kozhikode airport runway in 2011
Flights landing on runway 10 in tailwind conditions in rain at the Kozhikode airport endanger the lives of people on board those flights, a civil aviation expert had warned in 2011.
Captain Mohan Ranganathan had flagged concerns about the runway in a communication to then Civil Aviation Secretary Nasim Zaidi in June 2011.
Ranganathan was then a member of the operations group of the Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Committee (CASAC).
The communication assumes significance against the backdrop of the Air India Express plane crash at the airport on Friday that killed at least 18 people, including two pilots.
The Boeing 737-800 plane, coming from Dubai, had overshot the runway while landing in heavy rains and broke into two pieces.
'... in spite of the danger if the crew accept a landing in wet and tailwind conditions, their concept of ALAR (Approach and Landing Accident Reduction) is very poor,' he had said in the communication.
The communication came against the backdrop of an Air India Express aircraft crash at Mangalore airport in 2010. As many as 158 people had died in the crash.
'... all the flights that land on Runway 10 in the tailwind conditions in rain, are endangering the lives of all on board,' Ranganathan had said.
With tailwind conditions, the descent of an aircraft at the time of landing might be affected. Kozhikode airport in Kerala comes under the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The airport has a tabletop runway. Details about action taken by authorities concerned following the communication could not be ascertained. -- PTI
16:20 6 Rajasthan BJP MLAs shifted to Gujarat
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday shifted six of its MLAs to Gujarat's Porbandar ahead of the Rajasthan assembly session beginning August 14, according to party sources.
They left on a chartered flight from the Jaipur airport.
The legislators will be staying at a luxury resort there and likely to visit the Somnath temple, the sources said.
According to them, 12 party MLAs on Friday had left Rajasthan for Gujarat's Ahmedabad where they camping at a resort.
BJP MLA Ashok Lahoti, who accompanied the six legislators to the Jaipur airport, said they were being 'harassed' and voluntarily went on a pilgrimage.
"Some BJP legislators are being harassed through police and the administration. Those legislators who are being harassed have gone on a pilgrimage voluntarily," Lahoti told reporters after coming out of the airport.
The BJP legislators who boarded the flight from the Jaipur airport on Saturday are Nirmal Kumawat, Gopichand Meena, Jabbar Singh Sankhla, Dharamveer Mochi, Gopal Lal Sharma and Gurudeep Singh Shahpini.
The airport authorities too confirmed that six passengers were on the flight to Porbandar.
Lahoti also accused the Congress and its leaders of harassing the BJP leaders. -- PTI
16:14 Pilot of crashed AIE flight one of the most experienced: Puri
Pilot in-command of the crashed Air India Express flight Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe, among those killed in the accident in Kozhikode, was one of the most experienced commanders with more than 10,000 flying hours and had landed aircraft 27 times at the Karipur airport in the past, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Saturday.
The Minister was speaking to mediapersons after arriving in Kozhikode to take stock of the crash of the Dubai-Kozhikode AIE flight with 190 people on board here on Friday night that left 18 people dead and scores injured and the relief measures.
"The aircraft was captained and operated by one of our most distinguished, experienced commanders, Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe. In fact, the Captain had more than 10,000 hours of flying experience. He has landed on this very air piece, I think as many as 27 times including this year," Puri said.
He appreciated the local airport authority officials, all other agencies and local people who participated in the rescue operations soon after the accident which also killed co-pilot Akhilesh Kumar.
The Minister said they acted in an exemplary manner.
The Boeing 737 aircraft overshot the tabletop runway at the airport here while landing in heavy rains and fell into a valley 35 feet below and broke into two portions. -- PTI
15:56 Abhishek Bachchan tests negative for COVID-19
Actor Abhishek Bachchan on Saturday said that he has tested negative for COVID-19.
Abhishek and his father, megastar Amitabh Bachchan were admitted to Nanavati hospital after they tested positive for COVID-19 on July 11.
The actor shared the news in a post on Twitter almost a week after his father was discharged from the hospital.
'A promise is a promise! This afternoon I tested Covid-19 NEGATIVE!!! I told you guys I'd beat this.
'Thank you all for your prayers for me and my family. My eternal gratitude to the doctors and nursing staff at Nanavati hospital for all that they have done,' Abhishek tweeted.
His wife, actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, 46, and eight-year-old daughter Aaradhya were discharged from the hospital on July 27 after testing negative for COVID-19.
Throughout his hospitalisation, Abhishek kept his fans and well-wishers updated about the family's health through his Twitter posts. -- PTI
15:54 AIE crash: CM praises 'fast response' of locals, officials
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday praised the 'fast response' of the local people and officials in being the first to reach the aircraft crash site in Kozhikode to rescue passengers, braving inclement weather and COVID-19 fears, 'which made all the difference'.
The Air India Express flight from Dubai with 190 people on board overshot the tabletop runway at the airport in Kozhikode while landing in heavy rains and fell into a valley 35 feet below and broke into two portions on Friday night, killing 18 people and injuring many others.
Vijayan, who is at Kozhikode to visitthe injured, said in a tweet that the fast response of the local people and the officials made all the difference.
"Yesterday, the fast response of local people and officials made all the difference. They braved bad weather and COVID fears to rescue their fellow beings. The long queues of people who wanted to donate blood was just one example," Vijayan said.
Twitter and other social media platforms were flooded with images and videos of locals rushing to rescue the victims, arranging vehicles to transport the injured to hospitals and queueing up to donate blood even late at night.
"We have seen this many times...when there is an adversity, the people of Kerala come together to fight it. Humanity, the greater goodness that binds us all, is the bedrock of our society. Let's take a moment to congratulate the people of Malappuram and Kozhikode," Vijayan said.
The Malappuram District collector K Gopalakrishnan had said on Friday that 110 passengers were admitted to various hospitals in Kozhikode and the others, to hospitals in Malappuram.
The flight carried 190 passengers, including 174 adults, 10 infants and six crew members. -- PTI
14:48 Kin of deceased pilots escorted to Kozhikode
Families of the deceased pilots of the Air India Express plane that crashed have been escorted to Kozhikode, the airline said on Saturday.
It said the number of fatalities in the plane crash at the Kozhikode airport in Kerala on Friday evening stands at 18.
The family of deceased pilot-in-command Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe has been duly escorted from Mumbai to Kozhikode, Kerala, it said in a statement.
The family was escorted to the hospital where Sathe's mortal remains were kept for post-mortem, it added.
The airline said the family of deceased co-pilot Captain Akhilesh Kumar had already been escorted from Delhi to Kozhikode by its officials and the 'Angels of Air India', which is a special assistance team.
Pilot-in-command Sathe was an experienced Boeing 737-800 aircraft pilot and had earlier also flown Airbus A310 aircraft, the airline said.
"He had also won the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad and was an accomplished fighter pilot before becoming a commercial pilot," it noted.
At 7.40 pm on Friday, the Air India Express flight from Dubai with 190 people on board overshot the runway at Kozhikode airport in Kerala in rainy conditions and went down 35 feet into a slope before breaking up into two, killing at least 18 people. -- PTI
It said the number of fatalities in the plane crash at the Kozhikode airport in Kerala on Friday evening stands at 18.
The family of deceased pilot-in-command Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe has been duly escorted from Mumbai to Kozhikode, Kerala, it said in a statement.
The family was escorted to the hospital where Sathe's mortal remains were kept for post-mortem, it added.
The airline said the family of deceased co-pilot Captain Akhilesh Kumar had already been escorted from Delhi to Kozhikode by its officials and the 'Angels of Air India', which is a special assistance team.
Pilot-in-command Sathe was an experienced Boeing 737-800 aircraft pilot and had earlier also flown Airbus A310 aircraft, the airline said.
"He had also won the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad and was an accomplished fighter pilot before becoming a commercial pilot," it noted.
At 7.40 pm on Friday, the Air India Express flight from Dubai with 190 people on board overshot the runway at Kozhikode airport in Kerala in rainy conditions and went down 35 feet into a slope before breaking up into two, killing at least 18 people. -- PTI
14:46 Puri announces interim relief for crash victims
Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday announced an interim relief of Rs 10 lakh for each of those who died in the Air India Express crash at the Karipur airport in Kozhikode.
Addressing the media after visiting the accident site along with his ministerial colleague V Muraleedharan and MPs P K Kunhalikutty and M K Raghavan, the minister also announced Rs 2 lakh each for those who have suffered serious injuries and Rs 50,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.
This is over and above all the other compensations, which might be forthcoming from different agencies, insurance of the aircraft etc, he said.
Puri said reasons for the mishap are being investigated and it will be premature for him to speculate on what the precise cause of the accident was.
"All parts of the system including the Airports Authority, DGCA, AAIB and all other agencies are cooperating, two black boxes have been found", the Minister said.
The AIE flight with 190 passengers and crew on board had overshot the runway here while landing on Friday night and fell into a valley about 35 feet below and broke into two portions. -- PTI
14:16 Aviation minister visits Kozhikode crash site
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday reached Kozhikode Airport to take stock of the situation and implementation of relief measures being carried out at the site where an Air India Express flight crash-landed on Friday evening, killing 18 people.
The Union minister said he would hold consultations 'with senior civil aviation officials & professionals'.
'Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of the ill-fated aircraft have been retrieved. AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) is conducting investigations,' Puri tweeted.
At 7.40 pm on Friday, an Air India Express flight from Dubai with 190 people on board overshot the runway at Kozhikode airport in Kerala in rainy conditions and went down 35 feet into a slope before breaking up into two, killing at least 18 people.
A DGCA official said the two devices -- DFDR and CVR -- were with the AAIB and would be sent to Delhi for further investigation.
'Reached Kozhikode to take stock of the status & implementation of relief measures after the air accident last evening,' Puri tweeted.
'My heart goes out to the families & friends of the 18 people who lost their lives in the air accident involving @FlyWithIX Flight IX-1344 in Kozhikode last evening & offer my heartfelt condolences,' the minister said.
Reasons for the mishap are being investigated, he added. -- PTI
13:08 Probe into Kozhikode crash on: Union Minister
The Centre on Saturday said investigation is on to ascertain various aspects of the Air India Express flight crash at Karipur airport, which left 18 dead and several injured.
Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, who arrived in Kozhikode this morning from New Delhi on the directive of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed by the officials of Air India and Airport Authority of India (AAI) on how the accident had occurred.
'Visited the crash site at #Calicut Airport. Officials of @airindiain and AAI briefed on how the accident had occurred. The investigation is on to ascertain various aspects of the crash,' the minister said in a tweet.
The AIE flight with 190 passengers and crew on board hadover shot the runway in Kozhikode while landing on Friday night and fell into a valley about 35 feet below and broke into two portions.
Muraleedharan was accompanied by Kozhikode MP M K Raghavan, CMD Air India and officials of Air India and AAI. -- PTI
12:58 Over 160 million watched live telecast of Ram temple event: Prasar Bharati CEO
Over 160 million people tuned in to watch the live telecast of the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, resulting in viewership of more than 7 billion viewing minutes across the TV universe in India, according to preliminary estimates by Prasar Bharati.
Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati said the viewership was of Doordarshan's live coverage was carried by nearly 200 TV channels during the main events between 10.45 am and 2 pm on Wednesday.
'Per preliminary estimates over 160 Million (16 crore) people watched the live telecast of the Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan ceremony, resulting in viewership of more than 7 billion viewing minutes across the TV universe in India,' he said on Twitter.
In a highly-anticipated event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday laid the foundation of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Amid the chanting of shlokas, Modi consecrated the very first bricks for the temple at the spot where many devout Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. -- PTI
12:36 Rahul slams govt over ASHA workers' strike
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the Centre on Saturday over the ASHA health workers' strike to press for better service conditions and benefits, saying the government was 'mute' already, but now maybe 'blind and deaf' also.
'ASHA workers take health protection to homes across the country. They are truly health warriors, but today they are forced to go on strike for their own rights,' Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.
He tagged a media report about workers under the ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist), anganwadi, and National Health Mission being on a two-day nationwide strike from Friday to press for better service conditions and benefits.
'The government was mute already, but now maybe blind and deaf also,' the former Congress president said. -- PTI
12:05 AI crash: Deceased passenger tests Covid +ive
One of the 18 passengers, who died when an Air India Express flight from Dubai crashed landed at the airport in Kozhikode, has tested positive for COVID-19.
Higher Education Minister K T Jaleel told the media that samples of the passenger, Sudheer Varyath, 45, were sent for testing and it has returned positive for the disease.
Health Minister K K Shailaja has asked all the people who were engaged in the rescue operations should report to the health authorities and go on self quarantine as a precautionary measure and get themselves tested.
The flight with 190 passengers and crew on board had overshot the runway here while landing on Friday night and fell into a valley about 35 feet below and broke into two portions.
The condition of 16 passengers, admitted to various hospitals, is serious, Malappuram Collector K Gopalakrishnan said. -- PTI
11:53 BSF kills Pak intruder along IB in Barmer
A Pakistani infiltrator was killed by the Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday along the India-Pakistan International Border in Rajasthan's Barmer district, officials said.
"BSF troops observed a Pakistani intruder who crossed the IB and attempted to sneak over the fence. He was challenged but he still crossed the fence and ran towards the other side."
"Troops fired upon him and he hid behind a bush, but was found dead during search of the area," the BSF said.
The incident took place around 1 am at the Bakhasar area along the border, they said.
The BSF patrol also saw '10 to 15 torch light flashes and heard shouting from the Pakistan side'.
Officials said that this is the first time that an infiltration attempt has been made during night in this area.
The BSF is on high alert in view of the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations in the country, a senior officer said. -- PTI
11:24 G C Murmu sworn-in as new CAG
JUST IN: Girish Chandra Murmu was sworn in as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India at a ceremony held today at 10.30 am in the Ashoka Hall, a Rashtrapati Bhavan release said.
'He made and subscribed to the oath of office before the President,' it said.
Murmu will have a tenure up to November 20, 2024.
11:03 All involved in rescue ops asked to quarantine
The Kerala government has asked locals who involved in rescue operations at Kozhikode Airport to go into self-quarantine as a precautionary measure.
"Local people who braved all odds to save passengers in the Air India Express plane crash should go into self-quarantine as a precautionary measure," state health minister KK Shailaja said.
The state government to conduct COVID-19 tests of all, she added.
10:37 AI plane crash: Flight Data Recorder recovered
The Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) has been recovered from the aircraft and floorboard is being cut to retrieve Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), a Directorate General of Civil Aviation official was quoted as saying by ANI.
10:34 Indian consulate in Dubai to remain open today, lists helplines
The Indian Consulate in Dubai will remain open on Saturday to help those who need assistance to travel to Kerala and provide information about the crash of the Air India Express flight that skidded off a hilltop runway and split in two while landing in heavy rain at an airport in Kozhikode, killing at least 18 people.
"We are with all the families of injured and deceased and will do our best to assist them," the consulate tweeted on Friday evening.
It said the consulate will remain open on Saturday to share any information related to the crash.
India's newly appointed Consul General to Dubai Dr Aman Puri said that there were all kinds of Indians on-board the IX 1344 flight, which took off from Dubai and fell into a valley 35 feet below before broking into two portions.
"Some were visa cancellation and expiry cases, some were travelling to meet their family members, some having lost their jobs, and some were travelling on medical emergencies," Puri told the local media.
The Indian consulates in Dubai and Sharjah have activated five helpline numbers to provide information to the family members of the deceased and the injured passengers.
We pray for the wellbeing of passengers and crew and will keep you updated as and when we receive further updates. Our helplines +97156 5463903, +971543090572, +971543090571, +971543090575, Puri told PTI on Friday.
The helpline number to call in Sharjah for updates is +97165970303, the Gulf News reported.
Air India Express has also established a helpline number in Sharjah at +971 6 5970303.
10:14 AI plane crash: 4 cabin crew members safe
Four cabin crew members of the Air India Express flight that crash landed at the Karipur airport in Kozhikode are safe, the national transporter said on Saturday.
"The four cabin crew members are confirmed safe," Air India Express said in a bulletin.
Air India Express Employees Union said cabin crew suffered some injuries and are under treatment at the Kozhikode hospital.
Eighteen people including two pilots were killed and scores injured when an AIE flight from Dubai with 190 on board overshot the tabletop runway in Kozhikode airport on Friday night while landing in heavy rains and fell into a valley 35 feet below and broke into two portions. -- PTI
10:08 India reports over 60k Covid cases for 2nd day
India reported a single-day spike of 61,537 fresh COVID-19 cases in last 24 hours, taking the total tally to 20,88,611, according to the Union health ministry's data.
The total death toll rises to 42,518 with 933 more fatalaties.
There are 6,19,088 active COVID-19 cases in India while 14,27,005 people have recovered so far.
09:42 Before crash-landing, pilot aborted 2 landings
Air India Express pilots, who have died in Kerala plane crash tragedy, attempted two landings before the final landing at the tabletop runway at Kozhikode on Friday.
Two landings were aborted by pilots due to tailwind.
"According to weather radar, approach was for Runway 28 but as pilots found difficulties they went around twice and came from the opposite side on Runway 10 and the plane crash-landed at Kerala's Kozhikode airport," a senior investigator from DGCA told ANI.
Air India Express IX-1344, B737 Dubai to Calicut was operating under Vande Bharat Mission flight.
"Total 190 persons were on board. Visibility was 2,000 metre and rains were reported. Aircraft was at full speed while landing and overshot the Runway 10. It continued running to the end of runway and fell down in the valley and broke down into two pieces," the DGCA said. -- ANI
09:24 Boeing on Kozhikode crash
"We are aware of media reports from Kozhikode International Airport (Karipur Airport) in Calicut, India," aircraft manufacturer Boeing said in a statement.
"We are gathering more information, and closely monitoring the situation. We have reached out to our customer to offer our assistance," it said.
The aircraft was a Boeing 737.
09:00 Plane crash: 3 relief flights to reach Kozhikode
Air India Express said on Saturday that three relief flights had been arranged to Kozhikode in Kerala to assist passengers and their family members affected by the plane crash a day ago.
It stated that Air India Chairman and Managing Director Rajiv Bansal, and Air India Express Chief Executive Officer K Shyam Sundar had already reached Kozhikode.
The Air India Express flight from Dubai with 190 on board overshot the tabletop runway at Kozhikode airport on Friday night while landing in heavy rains and fell into a valley 35 feet below and broke into two, killing at least 18 people.
Two special relief flights have been arranged from Delhi and one from Mumbai for rendering humanitarian assistance to all the passengers and the family members, the airline, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, said.
"The Emergency Response Director is coordinating with all the agencies in Calicut (Kozhikode), Mumbai as well as Delhi, Dubai for effective emergency response," it said in a statement.
"The AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau), the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) and Flight Safety Departments have reached for investigating the accident," it added.
Officials said civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri would go to Kozhikode on Saturday.
The airline said its chief of operations and the chief of flight safety had already reached Kozhikode. -- PTI
08:51 Puri, Vijayan to visit AI plane crash site
Civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Kerala governor Arif Mohammad Khan and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to visit Karipur today, where an Air India Express flight from Dubai with 190 on board overshot the tabletop runway in Kozhikode airport, killing 18 people.
"18 people, including two pilots, have lost their lives. It is unfortunate. 127 people are at hospitals, others have been released," Puri said.
"Our task would have been much more difficult if the plane had caught fire. I am going to the Kozhikode International Airport in Karipur," he added.
08:14 Centre asks states to test grocery shop workers, vendors
The Union health ministry has asked states and UTs to take up coronavirus testing of grocery shop workers, vegetable and other vendors, stating if undetected they can potentially spread the infection to a large number of people.
In a letter to states and UTs, secretary in the health ministry, Rajesh Bhushan also stressed the need for operationalising ambulance transport system with oxygen facility and quick response mechanism.
He underlined that refusal rate of ambulances must be monitored at a daily basis and brought down to zero.
With the COVID-19 pandemic now spreading to newer areas in the country, Bhushan said there are likely to be scattered cases, cluster of cases or large outbreaks in districts and that the primary aim is to control outbreaks especially in new locations.
"The focus at the same time should be to save lives at all cost," he said.
"While we have so far done better than many other countries in this respect, our aim should be to further reduce mortality and ensure that it does not cross the 1 per cent mark," Bhushan said in the letter, addressed to additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries and secretaries (health).
Bhushan pointed out that early detection of cases through aggressive testing, prompt isolation or admission in a healthcare facility and ensuring proper clinical management are major components of mortality reduction.
"Early detection of cases is the most crucial element to ensure that the case fatality is reduced. It helps in terms of not only identifying the case before it may become critical but also supports in terms of checking the spread of infection," he said in the letter.
He stressed on enhanced surveillance for influenza like illness, severe acute respiratory illness as their symptoms are mostly the same as COVID.
Once a positive case is identified, a prompt contact-tracing should be undertaken and at least 80 per cent of the contacts must be identified and quarantined within 72 hours, he said.
Normally, a person would have an average of 30 contacts for a period of tracking that two days before the symptom onset, Bhushan said.
"There can be potential hotspots for spread of infection like industrial clusters with closed work environment, people coming from high prevalence areas, other high density areas such as slums, prisons, old age homes etc.
"In addition, grocery shops, vegetable and other vendors etc can be potential spreaders of infection to a large number of people. Testing in such areas and of such people should be taken up proactively as per ICMR guidelines," Bhushan underscored.
He also asked states and UTs to undertake weekly death audits to assess the determinants of death such as age differentials, comorbidities, late reporting to hospital and clinical protocols that were followed.
"This will help identify challenges to be addressed and will facilitate effective case reporting and ensure timely and required medical interventions," Bhushan highlighted.
In the letter, Bhushan also said that a regular house-to-house search must be done periodically to identify those who are at high-risk that is the elderly, people with comorbidities and pregnant women among others.
Alongside this exercise, containment and buffer zones should be set up and the perimeter of the containment zone must be properly secured.
00:24 China seals village after bubonic plague death
Authorities in the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia have sealed off a village after a resident there died from bubonic plague, a centuries-old disease responsible for the most deadly pandemic in human history.
The death was reported to health authorities in Baotou city on Sunday and the victim was confirmed to be a bubonic plague patient on Thursday, the Baotou Municipal Health Commission said in a statement on its website.
The patient died of circulatory system failure, according to the statement. It did not mention how the patient had caught the plague.
To curb the spread of the disease, authorities sealed off Suji Xincun village, where the dead patient lived, and ordered daily disinfection of homes. All villagers have so far tested negative for the disease, the statement said.
Nine close contacts and 26 secondary contacts of the patient have been quarantined and tested negative, the commission said.
This is the second case -- and first death -- of bubonic plague China has confirmed this year. The previous case was discovered in July in Bayannur, another city in Inner Mongolia, leading to the issuing of another Level 3 alert and the closure of several tourist spots.v
00:13 Shah Rukh Khan offers condolences to kins of crash victims
My heart goes out to the passengers and crew members onboard the Air India flight. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones. Thoughts and prayers: Shah Rukh Khan tweeted
00:13 Shah Rukh Khan offers condolences to kins of crash victims
My heart goes out to the passengers and crew members onboard the Air India flight. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones. Thoughts and prayers: Shah Rukh Khan tweeted
00:03 Evacuation completed: Kerala CM on AI tragedy
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has informed that the evacuation from the debris of Air India crashed flight has been completed.
"Malappuram collector has informed that the rescue operations at the site have been completed. Air India flight AXB1344 (@DXB to CCJ) had 190 passengers. They all have been transferred to hospitals in Malappuram and Kozhikode," the CM said.
Meanwhile, Kozhikode authorities have requested kins of the victims to not to rush to hospitals as these are Covid times.
The authorities will be issuing a list and families are urged to go to only the relevant hospital.
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