This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/22/pakistan-passenger-plane-crashes-near-karachi

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Pakistani passenger plane carrying 98 people crashes in Karachi Pakistani passenger plane carrying 98 people crashes in Karachi
(32 minutes later)
Jet carrying 91 passengers and seven crew members comes down in residential areaJet carrying 91 passengers and seven crew members comes down in residential area
There are fears of mass casualties after a passenger aircraft carrying 98 people crashed into a residential area in the Pakistani city of Karachi.There are fears of mass casualties after a passenger aircraft carrying 98 people crashed into a residential area in the Pakistani city of Karachi.
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) jet, carrying 91 passengers and seven crew members, was on its final approach to Karachi airport when it went down in a residential area in the Model Colony neighbourhood and disappeared from radar.The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) jet, carrying 91 passengers and seven crew members, was on its final approach to Karachi airport when it went down in a residential area in the Model Colony neighbourhood and disappeared from radar.
There were conflicting reports about whether there were any survivors. Karachi mayor Wasim Akhtar said everyone on board had died. However, local media and social media accounts from relatives reported that several people had been pulled alive from the rubble and were recovering in hospital. The Guardian confirmed that at least two people had survived the crash. The Bank of Punjab President Zafar Masud who was among those on board has survived and is “out of danger” in hospital and Khalid Sherdil, a CEO of an urban planning unit, is currently in ICU at Jinnah Hospital, according to his family.
A PIA spokesperson, Abdullah Hafeez, confirmed the crash, and added: “Saying anything right now would be premature. Our crew is trained to handle emergency landings. All my prayers are with the families. We will continue to provide information in a transparent manner.” A PIA spokesperson, Abdullah Hafeez, confirmed the crash and added: “Saying anything right now would be premature. Our crew is trained to handle emergency landings. All my prayers are with the families. We will continue to provide information in a transparent manner.”
The pilot reportedly called in describing a technical fault minutes before the plane, an Airbus A320, crashed. The pilot had been informed by air traffic control that both runways were available but he had then turned the direction of the plane. The pilot reportedly called in describing a technical fault minutes before the plane, an Airbus A320, crashed. The pilot had been informed by air traffic control that both runways were available but had then turned the direction of the plane.
In a statement, PIA CEO Arshad Malik said he was going onto the site of the crash and would further investigate the technical issue reported by the pilot. In a statement, the PIA chief executive, Arshad Malik, said he was visiting the site of the crash and would further investigate the technical issue reported by the pilot.
Flight PK8303 was on a domestic journey from Lahore and was minutes from Jinnah International airport when it crashed at about 2.45pm local time (1045 BST). Video footage from the scene shows billowing black smoke and people running screaming from the scene. Local media reported that around five houses had caught fire. Flight PK8303 was on a domestic journey from Lahore and was minutes from Jinnah international airport when it crashed at about 2.45pm local time (1045 BST). Video footage from the scene shows billowing black smoke and people running screaming from the scene. Local media reported about five houses had caught fire.
Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted: “Shocked and saddened by the PIA crash. Immediate inquiry will be instituted. Prayers and condolences go to families of the deceased.”Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted: “Shocked and saddened by the PIA crash. Immediate inquiry will be instituted. Prayers and condolences go to families of the deceased.”
The crash comes days after domestic commercial flights had been resumed, following a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus.The crash comes days after domestic commercial flights had been resumed, following a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus.
On Friday, many in Pakistan were travelling back to their families in cities and villages across the country to celebrate the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr. On Friday, many in Pakistan were travelling back to their families in cities and villages across the country to celebrate the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr.
More details soon …More details soon …