Mangalore crash: 60 bodies recovered from crash site

MANGALORE: Rescue teams have extricated 60 bodies from the mangled remains of the Air India aircraft which crashed near here.

Operations to recover the bodies, which have been charred beyond recognition, are continuing and locals were assisting the rescue teams.

Forty ambulances have been engaged to transport the bodies which have been kept in mortuaries of five hospitals in the city, officials said.

Fire personnel have put out the flames engulfing the aircraft, they said, adding, 24 fire tenders were deployed.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan are on their way to the crash site.

160 passengers, including four infants, and six crew were on board when the plane caught fire after one of its wings hit a hillock before landing at Kenjar near here.