Karachi, Agencies. A Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed into a dense residential area a few minutes before landing at Karachi Airport on Friday. The aircraft had a total of 99 people, including 91 passengers and eight crew members. All the passengers except two passengers are feared dead. So far, 66 bodies have been transported to hospitals. Dozens of houses and vehicles in the town caught fire as the plane fell. Army, police and fire brigades are searching for dead bodies. Many people in these houses are suspected to be casualties. Weeds have occurred in many homes due to this incident before Eid. Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi has expressed deep regret over this accident.
Due to the lockdown, aircraft operations in Pakistan have been exempted only about a week ago. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) spokesman Abdullah Hafiz said the PK-8303 flight was coming to Karachi from Lahore with 91 passengers and eight crew members. Captain Sajjad Gul was flying the 15 year old Airbus A320 aircraft. There were 31 women and 9 children among the passengers. According to the spokesperson, the pilot reported to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) the problem of landing at 2.37 (local time).
Both runways were empty for landing
Airport sources said that both runways at Karachi Airport were empty. When contacted by ATC, the pilot said that he was attempting a landing but was not able to succeed. According to the conversation recorded between the pilot and ATC on LiveATCdnet, the pilot informed about the stalled of both engines. After this, he tried again once and after 12 seconds indicated an emergency. An eyewitness says that after hitting the mobile tower on the plane, the plane hit the houses.
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Airport sources said that both runways at Karachi Airport were empty. When contacted by ATC, the pilot said that he was attempting a landing but was not able to succeed. According to the conversation recorded between the pilot and ATC on LiveATCdnet, the pilot informed about the stalled of both engines. After this, he tried again once and after 12 seconds indicated an emergency. An eyewitness says that after hitting the mobile tower on the plane, the plane hit the houses.
The exact cause of the accident is not yet clear
PIA chief, former Air Vice Marshal Arshad Malik, said the cause of the accident is not yet clear. The pilot had informed ATC of some technical glitches. He denied in some parts of the media that the aircraft had a problem even before the flight. According to Malik, all the safety standards were followed before the flight. The pilot made a second attempt when he failed from landing here in the first attempt. A team of four people has been formed for investigation. Only after his report will he be able to tell the exact cause of the accident. He also said that the houses were damaged but there was no complete demolition. According to my information, no one has even died among the residents of these houses.
Chaos on the spot
After the plane crashed, smoke was spotted in Jinnah Gorden of Model Colony. Many houses and vehicles caught fire. Relief and rescue operations started soon after the accident. The army and air force also sent their teams. 25 to 30 people living in this area have been rushed to the hospital. All are badly burned. 60 bodies reached in hospitals, Health Minister Dr. Azra of Sindh and Saad Edhi of Edhi Welfare Trust said that 60 bodies have been transported to the hospital so far. Dr. Azra has also given information about the miraculous escape of two people. This incident happened at a time when Eid holidays have been declared in the country from 22 May to 27 May..jpg)
PM Modi, Alvi and Imran mourn
Pakistan President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan have expressed regret over the accident. Imran has ordered an inquiry into the accident. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has also expressed deep sorrow over this accident. He made a tweet saying that I have deep condolences to the families of the people who lost their lives in this accident. Along with this, I wish the injured well soon. Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa has expressed regret over the accident and ordered the army to assist the local administration in rescue operations.
Banker Zafar Mehmood Samate Di’s life saved
Two lives, including banker Zafar Mehmood, were saved, in this plane accident, the chairman of Bank of Punjab, Zafar Mehmood and the passenger named Zubair were saved. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that Zafar has given his mother a phone call. Murad has fractured at four places, while Jubair has suffered 35 percent burns. The condition of both the hospitalized passengers is stable. Reports had earlier informed of the escape of three people but the third person turned out to be a local resident. He is undergoing treatment in the hospital.
