Tragedy as plane carrying more than a 100 passengers crashes in Karachi
Tragedy has struck Pakistan as a passenger plane carrying more than a 100 people crashed in Karachi.
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane crashed into a residential zone in Karachi, Pakistan. Flight PK8303 was only minutes away from Jinnah International Airport when it crashed around 2.45pm local time (10.45am BST).
Shocking news is coming in about a plane crash in Pakistan which has resulted in a terrible loss of life.
A passenger plane carrying 99 passengers and eight crew members crashed into a residential area near Model Colony.
The area of the crash site is littered with damage and several houses are on fire and smoke is billowing around the location.
Prime minster Imran Khan sent a message via Twitter:
Shocked & saddened by the PIA crash. Am in touch with PIA CEO Arshad Malik, who has left for Karachi & with the rescue & relief teams on ground as this is the priority right now. Immediate inquiry will be instituted. Prayers & condolences go to families of the deceased.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 22, 2020
The pilot of the Airbus A320 reportedly made contact minutes before the crash describing a technical fault with the plane.
Murtaza Ali Shah, from PIA, said he will be going to the site of the plane crash to investigate the technical issues reported by the pilot in the final communication before the fatal crash.
The tragic plane crash comes only days after flights had been resumed within Pakistan after a nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
Abdullah Hafeez, a spokesperson for PIA, appealed for calm following the fatal plane crash and said:
“Saying anything right now would be premature.
“Our crew is trained to handle emergency landings.
“All my prayers are with the families.”