Most bodies charred beyond recognition

MANGALORE - Most victims of the Air India Express crash near here Saturday were charred beyond recognition, with the front portion of the plane completely burnt, rescue workers said.

Flight IX 812 was scheduled to land at Bajpe airport, about 30 km from here, around 6.00 a.m. in cloudy weather and a drizzle.

There was utter confusion at the airport as no one could initially make out what happened, an airport official said.

“There was thick smoke. Soon we saw the flames,” the official said.

Air India authorities said there was no distress signal from the pilots when they were landing or after the plane touched the runway.

Since the plane fell into a gorge, it took some time for airport workers, police and the fire service to reach the place.