The Kerala government on Saturday announced Rs 10 lakh compensation to the families of those who died when an Air India Express flight veered off the runway while attempting to land at the Karipur international airport in Kozhikode.

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday reached Kozhikode to take stock of the status and implementation of relief measures. He also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for the seriously injured and Rs 50,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.

At least 18 people have lost their lives and 149 are under treatment at various hospitals of Malappuram and Kozhikode districts, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the media after a high-level meeting held at the district in which state Governor Arif Mohammed Khan also participated.

"The state government has decided to provide a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of those who have lost their lives. The medical expenses of those under treatment will be taken over by the state government," Vijayan told the reporters.

The CM also said out of the 18 who died, 14 are adults and four are children.

Currently,149 people are admitted to various hospitals of Malappuram and Kozhikode, out of which 23 are in critical condition. Another 23 have been discharged after receiving initial medical assistance.