In a shocking turn of events, an Air India flight skid off in the runway and split into two. The flight returning from Dubai had 191 people on-board. Due to heavy rains, the flight skid while landing and broke into two. In the accident, it is feared that atleaset 17 people were killed and one of them is reported to be the pilot of the plane, stated BJP MP KJ Alphons. One among the 17 was Sharafu Pilassery. He posted a picture of himself with his wife and child as the flight took off from Dubai. Covered in white suite and a shield and mask covering them, they seem to be all protected and safe. He captioned this picture of his on Facebook, “Going to home.” Little did they know that it would end up being tragic. Sharafu lost his life at the Baby Memorial Hospital.

A native of Kunnamangalam in Kozhikode, 35-year-old Sharafu was flying home with his wife Ameena Sherin and daughter Isa Fathima from Dubai. He had been working in the Gulf where he lives with his family — he had finally got tickets on the Vande Bharat repatriation flight to his hometown for a medical emergency.

According to officials, his wife Ameena is stable while his daughter Fathima is currently fighting for her life at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, reports The News Minute.

Sharafu’s friend, Shafi Parakkulam from Dubai penned down a heartbreaking note on losing his best friend.

“Before he left to Kerala, he came to my hotel to say goodbye. He was upset and said, ‘I don’t know why but I feel tensed about going back home,’. I almost feel like he had a premonition about what would happen. He gave me money and told me to use it to give food to those who are stranded and those who don’t have jobs,” Shafi wrote.

15 passengers are severely injured and 123 are injured in the accident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted with regards to the incident. “Pained by the plane accident in Kozhikode. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to Kerala CM @vijayanpinarayi Ji regarding the situation. Authorities are at the spot, providing all assistance to the affected,” he stated in his tweet.

Home Minister Amit Shah has also expressed his grief. “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,” he stated.