A plane boarding 99 passengers crashed at the Jinnah Garden area of Model Colony near the Karachi Airport on Friday, leaving at least 93 people dead. The flight PK 8303 from Lahore was about to land and was just one kilometre away from the airport when it crashed. However, the identity of those killed in the crash is not clear as the figure may include some residents of the colony.
According to PIA chief executive officer Arshad Malik, the pilot had informed the control room of facing a technical issue and then decided to go around rather than land even though two runways were ready for landing. The pilot sent a message, “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.”
According to CCTV footage and eyewitnesses, the plane first hit a mobile tower and then destroyed buildings and houses nearby.The footage of smoke released due to crash was widely shared on social media. “We are still to determine whether these people were all on board the flight or include area residents as a number of houses have been badly damaged by the aircraft when it crashed,”Sindh Health Minister Azra Pechuho was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. “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,” Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his shock over the incident via tweet.
PM Narendra Modi also expressed his grief in a tweet yesterday, “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.”