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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 reports of multiple casualties on the ground.
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. The Guardian confirmed that at least two people on the plane had survived: the Bank of Punjab president Zafar Masud, who is “out of danger” in hospital, and Khalid Sherdil, a CEO of an urban planning unit, who is in an intensive care unit, 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.” “Saying anything right now would be premature,” said Abdullah Hafeez, a PIA spokesman. “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 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.
A transmission of the pilot’s final exchange with air traffic control, posted on the website LiveATC.net, indicated he had failed to land and was circling around to make another attempt.
“We are proceeding direct, sir — we have lost engine,” a pilot can be heard saying.
“Confirm your attempt on belly,” the air traffic controller said, offering a runway.
“Sir - mayday, mayday, mayday, mayday Pakistan 8303,” the pilot said before the transmission ended.
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.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 about 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 shows billowing black smoke and people running screaming from the crash site.
The plane fell in a populated residential area and at least five houses caught fire. A schoolteacher working nearby said she had heard a “huge crash- it felt like doomsday. I saw smoke rising from the next street”.
Asad Ishaq, who lives a few streets away from where the plane crashed, told the Guardian that there was “complete panic” in the area.
“The entire area has been sealed off by the army as they have stepped in for the rescue mission,” said Ishaq. “They are not allowing anyone to go near the site and there is complete panic here.”
Sindh Governor Imran Ismail said: “The concern now is of casualties of people in the area. Rangers and rescue services have been sent, we are trying to save as many lives as possible.”
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 the 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.
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