KARACHI, Pakistan: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane with nearly 100 passengers on board crashed in Karachi on Friday afternoon, the Dispatch News Desk (DND) news agency reported.
Reportedly, the PIA plane Airbus 320 was traveling from Lahore and crashed near Model Colony in Karachi just before the landing at the Jinnah International Airport.
The CEO PIA Air Marshal (retd) Arshad Malik said that Captain Sajjad Gul declared a technical fault to the ATC tower on approach in Karachi.
Air Marshal (retd) Arshad Malik said that the runways were cleared for him but the Captain decided to pull-up, why, it will be ascertained after an investigation.
BREAKING: A @Official_PIA Airbus A320 on a flight from lahore to Karachi has crashed. The aircraft is registered AP-BLD and flight number was #PK8303. It took off from Lahore at 1PM & scheduled landing was at 2.45 PM.
— PakistanAviation (@PKAviation) May 22, 2020
Sources said that the Karachi-bound PIA plane was carrying 99 passengers and 8 crew members when it crashed due to a technical fault.
They said that it was a residential area wherein the plane fell, and it also resulted in damages to a few houses.
Plane crash in Karachi pic.twitter.com/ppY8OzCqZu
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) May 22, 2020
Sources said that the senior journalist Ansar Naqvi was also on board the PIA plane which crashed. He was working as the Director Programming & Current Affairs at Channel 24News HD.
Likewise, the fashion model Zara Abid was also reportedly on board the plane.
The President Bank of Punjab Zafar Masood was also on board the plane; however, he luckily was among a few survivors.
Meanwhile, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army Quick Reaction Force & Pakistan Rangers Sindh troops have reached the crash site for relief and rescue efforts alongside the civil administration.
The ISPR said that Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters have flown for damage assessment and rescue efforts. It said that the Urban Search and Rescue Teams are being sent on site for rescue efforts.
Footage from PIA Plane Crash Site – Karachi Model Colony
The Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah has directed the Inspector General of Sindh Police (IGP) and the Commissioner Karachi to ensure all possible relief operations at the crash site.
The Sindh Minister of Health & Population Welfare has declared an emergency in all major hospitals of Karachi.
In his condolence message, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he was shocked and saddened to hear the PIA plane crash in Karachi.
The prime minister said that he was in touch with the PIA CEO Arshad Malik who has left for Karachi & with the rescue & relief teams on the ground as this is the priority right now.
Imran Khan said that an immediate inquiry will be instituted. “Prayers & condolences go to families of the deceased.”
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
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has condoled the loss of precious lives in the tragic PIA plane crash.
The COAS shared the grief of bereaved families in this difficult time.
The Army Chief directed the provision of full assistance to the civil administration in rescue/relief effort.
Deeply grieved over devastating plane crash in res area flying to Khi & mins away from landing with many making way home for Eid. Terrible tragedy, my prayers with all families. We are in midst of grave challenges as a nation & in these times of trial we must show resolve & unity
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) May 22, 2020
Really saddened to hear about PIA Plane crash just a couple of days before Eid. We can’t imagine the pain their loved ones must be going through!
My prayers & sympathies are with the families of the passengers onboard. May Allah give them strength to cope with this loss. Aameen
— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) May 22, 2020
پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے صدر اور قائد حزب اختلاف شہبازشریف کا پی آئی اے مسافر طیارے کے حادثے کے پر شدید رنج وغم اور افسوس کا اظہار
ائیر بس حادثے پر پوری قوم کو دلی رنج ہے
متاثرہ خاندانوں سے دلی ہمدردی کا اظہار کرتے ہیں
متاثرہ خاندانوں کے غم میں برابر کے شریک ہیں
— President PMLN (@president_pmln) May 22, 2020
گورنرسندھ عمران اسماعیل کا کراچی ایئر پورٹ کے قریب پی آئی اے کا طیارہ گرنے پر اظہار افسوس
گورنر سندھ کا چیئرمین پی آئی اے کو ٹیلی فون، حادثے کی پورٹ طلب @ImranIsmailPTI
— Governor Sindh (@GovernorSindh33) May 22, 2020
پی پی پی چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا پی آئِی اے جہاز حادثے پر افسوس کا اظہار
پی پی پی چیئرمین نے متاثرہ خاندانوں سے دلی تعزیت و ہدردی کا اظہار کیا
حادثے میں میں قیمتی جانوں کا ضیاع مجھ سمیت پوری قوم کے لیئے باعث صدمہ ہے: بلاول بھٹو زرداری@BBhuttoZardari
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) May 22, 2020
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