'Pained by the plane accident in Kozhikode'

Political leaders across parties reacted to the Air India Express aircraft crash, which took place on Friday evening at Kozhikode airport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish at the Air India Express aircraft accident in Kozhikode on Friday and said authorities are at the spot, providing all assistance to the affected.

He also spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in this regard.

"Pained by the plane accident in Kozhikode. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest," the prime minister tweeted.

Authorities are at the spot, providing all assistance to the affected, Modi said.

"Spoke to Kerala CM @vijayanpinarayi Ji regarding the situation," he said.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said he was deeply distressed to hear about the tragic plane accident at Kerala's Kozhikode airport and his thoughts and prayers were with the affected passengers, crew members and their families.

Kovind said he spoke to Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and enquired about the situation there.

"Deeply distressed to hear about the tragic plane crash of Air India Express flight at Kozhikode, Kerala. Spoke to @KeralaGovernor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan and inquired about the situation. Thoughts and prayers with affected passengers, crew members and their families," the President tweeted.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed the National Disaster Response Force on Friday night to rush to the spot at Kerala's Kozhikode, where an Air India Express aircraft crashed, to assist in the rescue-and-relief operations.

"Distressed to learn about the tragic accident of Air India Express aircraft in Kozhikode, Kerala.

"Have instructed NDRF to reach the site at the earliest and assist with the rescue operations," Shah tweeted.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wrote on Twitter, "Devastating news from Kozhikode, Kerala. I am deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to an accident carrying several passengers on Air India flight. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also tweeted, "Deeply distressed to hear about the Air India Express tragedy at Kozhikode. Prayers are with the bereaved families and those injured. We are ascertaining further details."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is also the MP from Wayanad, wrote, "Shocked at the devastating news of the plane mishap in Kozhikode. Deepest condolences to the friends and family of those who died in this accident. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured."

And Congress MP Shashi Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram also mourned over the tragedy. He wrote, "Tragic day for Kerala. First the deaths in Munnar & now this: I hear both pilots have died. Hope rescue efforts will succeed in saving all the passengers."