A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane with 99 passengers and crew crashed a few minutes before landing in a residential area of Karachi.
The plane [flight PK 8303] first hit a mobile tower and crashed over the houses," said Shakeel Ahmed, a witness at the railroad, a few miles from the airport.
The plane, which follows the FlightRadar24.com site, identified as 15 years old on the Airbus A320, took off Friday from the eastern city of Lahore in Karachi and outside the country following the reintroduction of the domestic flight from the coronavirus pandemic.
The last thing we heard from the pilots was that he had a technical problem, national airline spokesman Abdullah H. Khan said in a video statement. "Since the last flight, I have been told that the two runways are ready to navigate wherever they can land, but the pilot decided he (a) wanted to travel around … This is a very tragic event."
Speaking to a foreign media company, a senior civil aviation official said the plane was unable to open its landing gears before landing, but said it was early to investigate the cause.
Also Read: History of Planes Crash in Pakistan
POSSIBLE SURVIVORS
Meanwhile, it is confirmed that the President and chief executive officer of the Bank of Punjab (BoP), Zafar Masud, and the chief executive officer of the urban unit, Khalid Sherdil, survived in the serious accident at Karachi Airport.
Sources say Masud and Sherdil were taken to Malir Cantt's Combined Military Hospital (CMH) where they were treated.
According to several unconfirmed reports, between 14 and 40 passengers survived.
The Pakistani army and emergency services plunged into what appeared to be a densely populated area.
"Pilots could land at Karachi airports. Both runways would be ready to sail when they approach a cruise and call ahead of the accident ," said another official. of civil aviation.
"We still don't know if he gave a reason at the time of the Mayday call."
A young Second lieutenant Hamza Yousuf was also died in this crash. Hamza was going home on Eid holiday for the first time after passing out parade from Lahore.
The latest fatal accident in Pakistan killed 47 people when a PIA plane crashed on a hill in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province in 2016. The worst plane crash in the country occurred in 2010 when an AirBlue plane crashed 152 people near Islamabad.
"Shocked and saddened by the PIA crash. I am in touch with PIA CEO Arshad Malik, who is back in Karachi, and with the city's rescue teams, as it is now a priority," Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted. "There are immediate Investigations Started Prayers and compassion go to the families of the deceased.
پی آئی اے کاطیارےگرنےپردل نہایت رنجیدہ اورمغموم ہے۔ میں سی ای او ارشد ملک جو کراچی روانہ ہوچکےہیں اورموقع پرموجود امدادی ٹیموں کےساتھ رابطے میں ہوں کہ فی الوقت یہ اولین ترجیح ہے۔ اس سانحے کی فوری تحقیقات کروائی جائیں گی.میری دعائیں اورتمام ترہمدردیاں متاثرہ خاندانوں کیساتھ ہیں۔
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 22, 2020
List of the on board Passengers
It is confirmed there was 85 passengers were on board including the 6 crew members,the details of the passengers is listed below.
Condolence from the Globe
On this Tragic accident ,many leader's and people's are tweeting about this horrible accident.
The news from Pakistan this morning is devastating. To the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the crash of PK 8303, and to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy, our hearts go out to you. Canadians are keeping you in our thoughts today.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 22, 2020
I’m sorry to hear about the air crash in Pakistan in which many lives have been lost. News of survivors is a ray of hope & I pray that there are many miraculous stories of survival tonight. My deepest condolences to the families of those who have perished.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 22, 2020
Deeply saddened by the loss of life due to a plane crash in Pakistan. Our condolences to the families of the deceased, and wishing speedy recovery to those injured.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 22, 2020
As the people of TURKEY, we are deeply saddened with the airplane crash in Karachi. We, the TURKISH Nation, present our heartfelt condolences to the precious people of PAKISTAN and share the pains of people who lost their beloved ones in this unfortunate crash. Long live PAKISTAN pic.twitter.com/Bs3vTTpxkH
— Ali ŞAHİN 🟢 🇹🇷 (@AliSahin501) May 22, 2020
Message of President Putin: Please accept deep condolences on tragic consequences of passenger plane crash in Karachi. In Russia we share grief of those who've lost in this catastrophe their relatives and dear ones and hope for speedy recovery of all injured.@MID_RF @mfa_Russia pic.twitter.com/LwTeDrzKC5
— RusEmbassy_Pakistan (@RusEmbPakistan) May 22, 2020
Our team is also extend the deepest sympathies to families the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss.
