The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has asked its personnel to quarantine themselves as a preventive measure after at least two passengers of the Air India Express flight that crashed in Kozhikode tested positive for COVID-19, reported news agency PTI quoting officials.

At least 18 persons onboard the Boeing 737-800 aircraft were killed in the accident where the plane skidded off during its landing and fell in a valley on Friday. This included the two pilots of the aircraft. 

According to the CISF, the force was the “first responder” in the rescue operation of the passengers that met with the accident as its Assistant Sub Inspector Ajit Singh was on patrol at the time of the incident.

“We are identifying our personnel, who rescued the passengers who have tested positive for coronavirus,” CISF Special Director General (Airports) MA Ganapathy told PTI.

Another senior officer told PTI that two passengers had tested positive for COVID-19. He added that the families of around 50 personnel who were involved in rescuing the passengers have been asked to quarantine themselves.

The rescuers who were exposed to the passengers will be tested for COVID-19 by the force, the officer told PTI.

The plane broke into two portions when it fell into a 35 metre deep alley after skidding off during the landing on Kozhikode Airport’s tabletop runway. The aircraft had 190 onboard during the time of the crash.