Kochi:
It was a close shave for 137 passengers onboard a Gulf Air plane when their plane skidded off the runway at Kochi airport in Kerala. Seven passengers were injured in the incident.
Some passengers in panic, jumped down from the aircraft through the emergency door even before the ladder was brought to the flight, airport sources said.
The runway has been closed for bigger aircraft following the incident, airport director ACK Nair said.
One passenger who was injured has been admitted to a nearby hospital and the others were discharged after first aid. It would take another 10 hours for the airport to be fully operational. However, smaller ATR aircrafts can land, he said.
The incident occurred at 3.55 am when the Bahrain-Kochi flight shot 5-10 metres off the runway. It was an Airbus A-320 plane.
Reports say one of the wings of the plane also broke off. Officials say heavy rain and wind was responsible for the incident.
(With PTI inputs)