A week after: A quick look at what transpired after Dubai-Kerala Air India Express passenger plane crash

THE CRASH AND DEATH: An Air India Express passenger plane from Dubai crashed at an airport in the southern state of Kerala on August 7, 2020, killing 18 people, according to officials. The Boeing 737, en route from Dubai, skidded off the runway in rain and broke in two after landing at Calicut (Karipur, Kozhikode) airport, aviation officials said. The flight was repatriating Indians stranded by the coronavirus crisis. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "pained by the plane accident".

THE AFTERMATH: The deadly crash shook the south Indian state reeling from torrential rain, floods and coronavirus. But people from all walks of life stepped in to help the victims. [Story: https://gn24.ae/a4a96061f8a9000]

GOOD SAMARITAN: Dubai-Kerala Air India Express flight IX1344 skidded off the runway and broke into two at Karipur Airport. A young grocer staying close-by, who watched the horrifying accident, was the first person to reach the site. He personally rescued six people, including a two-year old girl. [Story: https://gn24.ae/a4c38ed37292000]

GRIEF: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations’ specialised agency for aviation, expressed grief over the tragic plane crash in Kerala’s Kozhikode. “ICAO is saddened by reports of the tragic loss of life on Air India’s Express flight IX 1344. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this terrible tragedy,” the agency tweeted.

LIVES LOST: List of pilots and passengers who died in the crash: Deepak Vasanth Sathe, pilot; Akhilesh Kumar, co-pilot; Sharafudheen Pilassery, 35, from Kozhikode; Azam Mohammad Chembayi; Shahira Banu, 29 from Merikkunnu in Kozhikode; Janaky Kunnoth, 55, from Naduvannur in Kozhikode; Shivathmika Muraleedharan, 5; Remya Muraleedharan, 32, from Kakkattil in Kozhikode; Manal Ahmed, 25 from Nadapuram in Kozhikode; Lailabi K.V, 51, from Edappal, Malappuram; Sheza Fathima, 2, from Tirur in Malappuram; Aysha Dua from Mannarkkad, Palakkad; Sudeer Variyath, 45, from Valancheri in Malappuram; Saheer Sayed, 38, from Tirur in Malappuram; Muhammed Riyas V. P, 24, from Chalavara in Palakkad; Cherikka Parambil Rajeevan, 61, from Balussery in Kozhikode; Santha Marakkatt, 59, from Tirur in Malappuram; Zenobia Puthiyapanthakalakam, 40, from South Beach Road in Kozhikode. [Story: ttps://gn24.ae/a4daf5e81457000]

THE FIRST VICTIM: The first death confirmed was that of the flight’s captain, Deepak Sathe, an Indian Air Force retiree and senior wing commander who hailed from the state of Maharashtra. And according to Pramod Mahajan, principal, Sharjah Indian School, Sathe was a man of honour who lived up to his ideals till the end. “I was in a state of shock on Friday when I heard the news of the crash. Besides the fact that three of our school children were on the flight with their mothers, which was a major concern for us, I also had the honour of knowing Sathe,” he said. [Story: https://gn24.ae/a4a963c1a8a9000]

IN HOSPITAL: As many as 127 passengers of the Air India Express Dubai-Kozhikode flight that crashed on Friday night were treated at Kozhikode Medical College, Baby Memorial Hospital, Aster MIMS Hospital, Maithra Hospital, and Beach Hospital. [https://gn24.ae/a4a99396aaa1000]

FLIGHT DATA RECORDERS FOUND: The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Saturday (August 8, 2020) said the black box or flight data recorders and voice recorder of the crashed Air India Express flight were found.

QUESTIONS GALORE: The Indian Civil Aviation Ministry has ordered an investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in the Air India Express plane crash. But, according to reports in India media, many aviation safety experts have raised questions on the move, suggesting that there could be a conflict of interest and non-transparency in the probe as it operates under the supervision of the ministry.

COMPENSATION ANNOUNCED: Union minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri announced interim relief for families of victims, as well as those who have been critically injured and suffered minor injuries. Also, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced Rs 10 lakh (around Dh 49,071) compensation and said the medical expenses of those under treatment will be taken over by the state government.

AIR INDIA TO GET $50 million: The Air India Express plane that crashed at Kozhikode airport on Friday evening (August 7, 2020) was not leased but owned by the airline. With the lead reinsurer of the plane approving the claim for total loss of the crashed flight, Air India Express will get the entire claim of $50 million (Dh183 million). A senior insurance industry official told IANS news service that the entire claim amount will be paid to the airline if it is an owned aircraft. [https://gn24.ae/a4f111a68cad000]

WHAT WENT WRONG? “Something had to go wrong… this wasn’t normal," said an Indian pilot with flying experience through the Karipur airport. “I have landed there up to twice a month over a year,” the pilot said, who wished to remain anonymous for this article. “The standards of the airport fall well within the requirements for a safe landing.” [Story: https://gn24.ae/a4d8507459fa000 ]

92 PASSENGERS DISCHARGED: Air India Express said on Thursday (August 13, 2020) that 92 passengers injured in the Kerala plane crash have been discharged from hospitals after "obtaining complete fitness". [Story: https://gn24.ae/a511e710f6c9000]

BUSINESSMAN DONATES Rs 2 million: Indian businessman and philanthropist Dr Dhananjay (Jay) Datar has pledged to donate Rs2 million (Dh98,911), or Rs100,000 to each family, as compensation to the next of kin of all those who died in the plane crash in Kerala. [Story: https://gn24.ae/a4feb48a0aee000]