An Air India Express flight, returning from Dubai under the Vande Bharat mission, crashed at the 'table top' Karipur airport on Friday evening, leaving at least 18, of the 190 people aboard, dead including pilot, Capt D.V. Sathe and his co-pilot Akhilesh Kumar.
An emergency control room has started operating from the airport at the number 0483-2719493. The district administration have also started operating the helpline number 0495-2376901.
The plane skidded off the runaway as it landed on its second attempt amid heavy rain, plunged 35 feet into the valley below, and broke into two pieces.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Friday night to rush to the spot to assist in the rescue-and-relief operations.
There were 190 people on board the flight. Of them, there were 174 passengers including 10 children along with 4 cabin crew and 2 pilots.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said police and fire force personnel have been directed to take all measures.