Dhaka shares grief with Delhi over plane crash

Bangladesh has expressed deep shock at the loss of lives following an Air India plane crash at an airport in the southern state of Kerala, killing at least 18 people and injuring over 100.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen wrote a letter to his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar on Saturday and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved families and the people of India on behalf of the people of Bangladesh, the government and on his own behalf.

The foreign minister also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured. 

Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam talked to Indian Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan over phone and expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives.

He conveyed deep sympathy for the family members of the victims and enquired about the injured Indian citizens.

Shahriar also wished early recovery of the injured.

"Deeply saddened to learn the news of accident of Air India Express flight in Kozikode and loss of precious lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. Wishing early recovery of the injured passengers," Shahriar tweeted. 

Muraleedharan thanked Shahriar Alam for the telephone call and his deep condolences on loss of lives in Kozhikode Air crash. 

"Greatly value the kind gesture of India’s neighbour & friend at this hour of grief," he tweeted. 

Also Read: Death toll from Indian passenger aircraft accident rises to 18

The plane swayed violently as it approached a hilltop runway soaked by monsoon rain, and moments later the special return flight for Indians stranded abroad by the pandemic skidded off, nosedived and cracked in two, leaving 18 dead and more than 120 injured.

Among the injured, at least 15 were in critical condition, said Abdul Karim, a senior police officer in southern Kerala state. 

The dead included both pilots of the Air India flight, the airline said in a statement, adding that the four cabin crewmembers were safe.

The two-year-old Boeing 737-800 flew from Dubai to Kozhikode, also called Calicut, in Kerala. 

There were 174 adult passengers, 10 infants, two pilots and four cabin crew on board.