The Apakistan International Airlines flight going from Lahore to Karachi crashed before landing, the aircraft carrying around 100 passengers. PIA plane crashed over a residential colony near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. The extent of loss or damage to life is still unknown.
PIA spokesman Abdul Sattar has confirmed the accident. PIA flight PK 8303 carried 91 passengers and 8 crew members. Mayor Wasim Akhtar said at least five or six houses were destroyed in the accident. At first the mayor stated that all passengers and crew aboard the crashed flight were killed, but Public Airlines later confirmed that some survived.
According to local media reports, the aircraft had lost both its engines. Witnesses said the engine was on fire. The plane's tail struck a four-story building in the Jinnah Garden area of the model colony, bordering the airport's runway. Footage from the local media shows the huge gust of smoke emanating from some houses in the model colony of Karachi.
Although authorities have not released a list or number of casualties or injuries in the incident, there are some reports of survivors on social media. Bank of Punjab President Zafar Masood, who was a premium economy passenger in the flight, has survived. He is in the hospital and talks to his mother on the phone. Pak PSU Urban Unit CEO Khalid Sheradil was also among the passengers and survived the crash.
Another passenger Ammar Rashid, who was on the plane, survived the crash and is being treated for injuries at a nearby hospital, his family said on social media.
Two civil aviation officials told the AP that at least 11 bodies were recovered from the crash site and six people were injured. It was not immediately clear if the passengers were casualties.
A Pakistani media channel has confirmed that one of its senior employees Ansar Naqvi died in the accident.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted: "Shocked and saddened by the PIA accident. An immediate inquiry will be launched. Prayers and condolences go to the families of the deceased."
Pakistan's Health and Population Welfare Minister has declared an emergency in all major hospitals in Karachi due to the plane crash, local media has reported.
Pakistan resumed commercial passenger air travel on May 16 after a prolonged nationwide lockout due to the Kovid-19 outbreak.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the accident, "The loss of life and property due to a plane crash in Pakistan was deeply saddened. Our condolences to the families of the dead, and the speedy recovery of those injured."
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