A small aircraft crashed near the Jagada block close to the Rourkela airstrip in Odisha on Saturday. According to the information, the small plane crashed 10 Km before Rourkela.
Odisha's Commerce and Transport Minister BB Jena confirmed that at least six people were injured in the crash.
Speaking with the media about the crash, BB Sena said that a major accident was averted, He said, "One A-1 nine-seater private flight carrying passengers has met with an accident. The passengers have sustained minor injuries and are stable. It took place at Jalda, 10 kilometres from Rourkela. By the grace of God, this is not a major accident".
The aircraft took off from Bhubaneswar for Rourkela with four passengers and two crew members.
The minister said the state government has apprised the Director General of Civil Aviation of the situation. "Our director will also soon visit the accident site," he said.
Director of Biju Patnaik International Airport, Prasanna Pradhan, said, "The flight was on its way from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela. It made a crash landing 10 km before Rourkela. There were 4 passengers and 2 crew members. All are safe. The flight is with India One Airlines. The flight number is C-208."
Soon after the crash, rescue teams, including fire units from Rourkela Fire Station and Panposh Fire Station, were rushed to the spot, and the injured were immediately shifted to the hospital for treatment.
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News agency PTI cited airport sources saying that the flight was a regular one between Rourkela and Bhubaneswar, being operated by a private operator.