Karachi Plane Crash: A Pakistan International Airlines flight with more than 100 people on board has crashed in the city of Karachi.
Visuals show thick plumes of smoke rising from residential area in the vicinity of #Karachi airport after the crash of a #PIA plane coming from #Lahore with reportedly 107 passengers and crew on board.
Video: WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/5ESRGhSsWL
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) May 22, 2020
Pakistan’s Aviation Ministry said the passenger jet was carrying 99 passengers and 8 crew members. Flight PK 8303 took off from Lahore and was due to land at 2:30 in Karachi but went missing from the radar, Pakistan International Airlines spokesman Abdullah Khan said.
“He had been told both landing strips were ready for his use but he preferred to use the go-around landing route, we are looking into the technical issue. Our prayers for the lives that have been lost,” Khan said.
PIA’s Lahore-Karachi flight PK-8303 crashed on a residential area near Karachi airport a short while ago. Fire fighters trying to control fire in an affected house👇🏼 🔥 ✈️ #planecrash #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/LEg1roPjol
— Digi Fusion (@DigiFusion24) May 22, 2020
Confirming the unfortunate incident, a senior official of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the rescue operation was underway. “It is too early to say anything. We are collecting details of passengers.”
A PIA spokesperson, speaking to a private TV channel, said the aircraft lost communication with the ground staff at 2:37 pm and crashed around a minute before landing. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has directed all the urban search and rescue teams to reach the crash site, a spokesperson of NDMA said.
Pakistan International Airlines flight #PK8303 from Lahore has crashed during landing in Karachi. The aircraft involved is a 15 year old Airbus A320 with registration AP-BLDhttps://t.co/9UsAUoyUn2
As the flight was tracked with MLAT we only have limited position data. pic.twitter.com/7FWt79V6xs
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) May 22, 2020
A statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters have reached on the spot for rescue operations and damage assessment while Urban Search and Rescue teams are also present.
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
Pakistan PM Imran Khan, while expressing deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives as a result of PIA passenger plane crash in Karachi, has ordered an immediate inquiry. Khan has instructed the concerned agencies to provide relief, rescue and immediate medical aid to the affected peoples.
#COAS condoles loss of precious lives in tragic PIA plane crash. Shares grief of bereaved families in this difficult time. COAS directed provision of full assistance to civil administration in rescue/ relief effort.
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) May 22, 2020
Chief of the Army Staff General Bajwa has also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the crash. Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force also expressed anguish over the Karachi air crash. He further said that PAF stands by PIA at this difficult time and extends all-out support in the rescue efforts.
