Helicopter carrying Lulu group chairman crash-lands in Kochi

The helicopter carrying Lulu group head MA Yusuff Ali and his wife crash-landed in Kochi. No casualties were reported.

Kochi:The helicopter carrying Lulu group head MA Yusuff Ali and his wife crash-landed near Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) campus in Panangad. "All are safe," said hospital authorities.

Sources said a mechanical failure led to the crash-landing. The passengers were admitted to a private hospital.

Yusuf Ali, his wife, two other passengers and two pilots were present in the chopper which made the precautionary landing due to sudden deterioration of weather conditions.

The chopper crash-landed in a swamp near the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) campus. It was supposed to land at the KUFOS campus ground but had to touch down near the highway due to technical issues.

According to the hospital authorities, no one was injured and all passengers are kept under observation.

According to a statement from Lulu Group, Ali, currently in Kerala, was on a short trip from his home in Kochi to visit a relative at a nearby hospital. "Due to the sudden deterioration of the weather conditions and heavy rains, the experienced pilots decided to make a precautionary landing at a safe place to prevent any risk to the life of the passengers or the public at large," it said.

Lulu group also said that the passengers and crew underwent a medical checkup and are safe.

(With inputs from ANI)