A Pakistan International Airlines A320 Airbus was carrying at least 90 people and was scheduled to land at Jinnah International Airport when it suddenly crashed into a residential neighhbourhood in Karachi.
Rescue teams and law enforcement are at the crash site and have started rescue operations.
According to Geo News citing the Civil Aviation Authority, communications with the plane were lost one minute before landing.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Pakistan's Sindh Health Department spokeswoman Meeran Yousuf confirmed on Saturday that 97 people had died in the A320 plane crash near Karachi.
"Final #PlaneCrash update for today: Total people on board: 99. Total deaths: 97. Survivors: 02," Yousuf wrote on her Twitter page.
The spokeswoman added that 19 bodies had been identified so far.
The search-and-rescue operation at the crash site is underway.
NEW DELHI (Sputnik) - Pakistan's Sindh Health Department spokesperson Meeran Yousuf confirmed on Friday that 80 people had died in the A320 plane crash near Karachi.
"#PlaneCrash Update: 80 deaths confirmed. 2 survivors. 48 dead bodies are at JPMC, 32 are at CHK. 17 bodies have been identified so far. #Karachi," Yousuf wrote on Twitter.
The search-and-rescue operation at the crash site is underway.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - European aerospace giant Airbus said the crashed A320 aircraft operated by Pakistan International Airlines made its first flight in 2004.
"The aircraft ... first entered service in 2004. It has been in operation with Pakistan International Airlines since 2014. The aircraft had logged around 47 100 flight hours," Airbus said in a statement.
The company added that the plane had been powered by CFM56-5B4/P engines, produced by France's Safran Aircraft Engines and US's General Electric. The plane reportedly suffered an engine failure during the landing.
I thank world leaders for reaching out to condole over the tragic air crash and loss of precious lives. The people of Pakistan value this support and solidarity in our hour of grief.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 22, 2020
Sindh health officials have said that so far, 60 people have been confirmed dead.
Rescue operation is underway.
Pak Army still doing efforts Thanks To The Armed Forces #planecrash pic.twitter.com/HuvhSuxdBQ
— Falaq (@Falaq11323462) May 22, 2020
Speaking to Geo News, the Sindh information minister said that rescue efforts were still underway. He said the administration had provided generators to help officials continue rescue efforts at night.
Karachi commissioner has shared contact information for bereaved families.
All bereaved families of PIA tragedy may contact the following numbers of the PIA, CAA and Commissoner Karachi : 021 99242284
— Commissioner Karachi (@CommissionerKhi) May 22, 2020
021 99043766
021 99043833
پی آئی اے کے بدقسمت طیارے کے حادثے میں زندہ بچ جانے والے خوش نصیب محمد زبیر کے ساتھ pic.twitter.com/qYfrJEXANj
— Senator Saeed Ghani (@SaeedGhani1) May 22, 2020
Meeran Yousuf, the media coordinator for the Sindh health minister, confirmed to Dawn.com that two passengers had survived and were brought to hospitals. She identified the survivors as Mohammad Zubair and Zafar Masood, who is the president of Bank of Punjab.
"Zubair has 35 per cent burns and is being treated at the [Dr Ruth Pfau] Civil Hospital Karachi, while Masood has four fractures and is being treated at the Darul Sehat Hospital," said Yousuf, adding that both were in stable condition.
A third person, who had earlier been identified as a survivor from the plane, was later identified to be a resident of the area where the plane crashed.
Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Executive Director Seemin Jamali said that 35 bodies have so far been brought to the hospital, of which five have been identified and handed over to their relatives.
Among them, is captain Sajjad Gul, who was piloting the ill-fated plane.
Sindh health officials have said that so far 57 people have been confirmed dead.
NEW DELHI (Sputnik) - At least 90 people died in the crash of a Pakistani International Airlines plane near the airport in Karachi, the Bol news broadcaster reported on Friday, citing Federal Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan.
The broadcaster also said that five houses and several cars had been destroyed as a result of the crash.
According to a representative of Pakistan's civil aviation authority, there were 91 passengers on board the plane which crashed near Karachi airport. It also reported that there were 7 crew members on board.
Meanwhile, at least 40 dead bodies have been recovered after the plane crash, according to AFP.
MOSCOW, May 22 (Sputnik) - There are no Russians among the victims of the plane crash in Pakistan's Karachi, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
"According to available information, about 100 people on board were killed. Currently, the number of victims among the residents of the houses on which the plane crashed is currently estimated. According to reports, there are no Russian citizens among the victims," the ministry said.
"We express our sympathy and support to the families of the victims, we wish a speedy recovery to all those injured," it said.
Sarfraz Ahmed — a firefighter at the crash site — told AFP the nose of the Airbus A320 and the fuselage had been heavily damaged by the impact, adding that rescuers had pulled four bodies from the wrecked aircraft, including some who were still wearing seat belts.
Earlier it was reported that one of the wounded brought to the hospital was badly burned and has been shifted to the burns ward.
The injured are said to be residents of the area where the crash took place.
Sindh health department said that so far, 37 people have been confirmed dead.
It is, however, unclear if the deceased were all on board the flight or also include residents of the area where the crash took place.
According to the Sindh health department spokesperson Meeran Yousuf, 19 bodies have been taken to the Jinnah my Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), whereas 15 bodies were taken to Civil Hospital.
"We have three survivors so far," she said.
The figure includes the BOP chief executive.
MOSCOW, May 22 (Sputnik) - Turkey, Iran, India and Afghanistan sent their condolences to Pakistan on Friday after a passenger plane crashed on landing near the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted he was "deeply saddened by the deadly crash in brotherly Pakistan."
"May Allah's mercy be upon those who lost their lives in the crash. Condolences to our Pakistani brothers [and] sisters. Friendly [and] brotherly Pakistan’s pain is our pain," he wrote.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani offered his condolences to the people and the government of Pakistan, saying Afghans stood with them in this moment of grief.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Telegram that its spokesman, Abbas Mousavi, mourned the loss of dozens of lives in the air disaster.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the tragedy. He offered condolences to the families of the deceased and wished speedy recovery to those injured.
The Airbus A320 crashed into a crowded neighborhood near Jinnah International Airport during a domestic flight from Lahore. The Pakistani civil aviation agency told Sputnik there were 91 passengers on board. Several people have reportedly survived.
My heart goes out to the families of victims who lost their lives in the PIA plane crash in Karachi. I offer my sincere commiserations to the people and the government of Pakistan. Afghans stand with you in this moment of grief.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) May 22, 2020
Called chairman PIA, to provide shelters to people who’s houses r damaged due to the crash. PIA will take full responsibility and provide hotel immediately to them. PM @ImranKhanPTI has instructed PIA to take care of affectees with out any delay.
— Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) May 22, 2020
Pakistan Airlines Pilots' Association spokesperson Tariq Yahya, while speaking on Geo News, said:
"Communications show that the plane did not have power at the end and was gliding and couldn't make it to the runway."
He said that it didn't have power when it was asked to climb to 3,000 feet.
He said these are "only are assumptions and we will not know the exact cause until we find the black box."
Yahya said pilots are handed a "technical log book" which is filled out by engineers and is a declaration that the plane is safe to fly. The pilot then independently reviews all the various flight functions on board the plane.
The spokesperson also remarked that there is a "very poor safety culture in place when it comes to the civil aviation authority as well as the PIA safety department" — an issue raised by PALPA as well, and which has only deteriorated over time.
He said that the construction of tall buildings near an airport is a violation of Civil Aviation Authority rules.
An Army Urban Search and Rescue Team has been dispatched via a C-130 military plane from Rawalpindi.
According to Geo News, families located at the crash site are being vacated from the area.
So far i can confirm that 2 passengers on board the PIA plane have miraculously survived the crash. Their names are Zafar Masood & Mohd Zubair. Both are in stable condition. Keep praying for others
— SenatorMurtaza Wahab (@murtazawahab1) May 22, 2020
Update #PIA Incident:
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) May 22, 2020
To speed up relief & rescue efforts, Army Urban Search & Rescue Team with special equipment & rescue specialists flown from Rwp. 10 fire tenders at site have extinguished fire. Military ambulances busy in rescuing injured & providing necessary medical care.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Syed Shibli Faraz said it is a tragic and sad incident before Eid and all prays of Prime Minister Iman Khan and his government are with the passengers, crew members, and their families. He said whereabouts of passengers are being collected, which will be shared, after compilation, with the media.
The pilot sent a Mayday and told controllers the aircraft had lost power in both of its engines during its second attempt to land, according to a recording posted on LiveATC.net.
While the two runways were cleared, the pilot said, "We are returning back, sir, we have lost engines."
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 22, 2020
Pakistan's Health Minister Azra Pechuho, at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, said that it was still to early to ascertain the number of people who were injured in the crash landing of an Airbus A321 passenger jet near Karachi.
"Eleven dead bodies have been brought to the hospital and six injured. Out of the injured, four are stable and two are burns cases."
She said officials are currently in the process of identifying the deceased in order to inform their families.
"We don't know how many are injured and how many are dead. I am visiting hospitals, we were already in an emergency situation due to COVID-19 so doctors were on alert. We have also alerted surgical units," she said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended on Friday condolences to Pakistani President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan in connection with the passenger plane crash in the city of Karachi.
"Russia shares the grief of those who have lost their relatives and friends in this catastrophe and hopes for quick recovery of all the injured persons," Putin wrote in his letter to the Pakistani officials, released on the Kremlin website.
"We’re carrying out DNA tests to be able to identify the bodies. We have declared an emergency in all the local hospitals. It’ll take time to evacuate everyone. We can’t give the final death toll yet," Sindh health minister Azra Pechuho said.
📸 IN PICTURES: Aftermath of a #PIA #planecrash in #Karachi's #ModelColony residential neighborhood on Friday. The aircraft had 91 passengers and 8 flight crew onboard according to #Pakistan's Aviation Division pic.twitter.com/zZchpADzhz
— Arab News Pakistan (@arabnewspk) May 22, 2020
ATC recording of the #PIAplane before the #crash in which at least 98 people died including seven crew members.
— Radhika Parashar (@_RadhikaReports) May 22, 2020
The plane was reaching #Karachi from #Lahore, #Pakistan
Recording as obtained by @SputnikInt pic.twitter.com/htCJsxj8IX
A passenger of another flight coming to #Karachi filmed #planecrash pic.twitter.com/fJE3d9NCbD
— Muhammad Yousuf (@muhammadbySky) May 22, 2020
"The concern now is of casualties among people in the area. Rangers and rescue services have been sent, we are trying to save as many lives as possible," Sindh province governor Imran Ismail said.
Masood's family has confirmed to the outlet Dawn that he has survived the crash.
Bank of Punjab CEO Zafar Mahmood being rescued from the crash site. He has been taken to the hospital. #planecrash #PIAPlanCrash #Karachi pic.twitter.com/7HZwtzereQ
— Aakriti Sharma (@_aakritisharma) May 22, 2020
PIA CEO, Air Marshal Arshad Malik on PIA’s #PK8303 crash.
— Faeza Dawood (@FaezaDawood) May 22, 2020
•Prayers with families 💔#Karachi #planecrash #PIA #ArshadMalik pic.twitter.com/o5OYsF5far
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
Sad News:Our heart goes out to all families of on board passengers of the ill fated PIA plane that just crashed close to Karachi Airport. On PM’s directions, all emergency services & resources mobilised,evacuation in progress.More details will be shared subsequently
— Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimSBajwa) May 22, 2020
Deeply saddened over PIA plane crash near karachi airport carrying passengers from Lahore. Very tragic incident just before EID. My sincere condolences with the families of the passengers & crew staff.
— Pervez Khattak (@PervezKhattakPK) May 22, 2020
Horrific PIA crash in Karachi. A national tragedy. So many innocent lives lost - including people living in the nearby colony. What can one say - except pray for all the families who have lost their loved ones to find an inner strength to cope with this tragedy.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) May 22, 2020
PIA A320 bounded from Lahore to Karachi reg No. AP-BLD (Alpha Papa-Bravo Lima Delta) has been crashed due to landing gear failure near Karachi Airport #PIACrash #planecrash #PK8303 pic.twitter.com/7wj5ZCWDA9
— Asif Ansari (@AsifAnsri0369) May 22, 2020
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
According to Geo News citing rescue sources, 15-20 people have been rescued from under the rubble of the crash site. Eight people were injured and taken to a hospital for medical treatment. The body of a 5-year-old and another person were recovered from the site.
PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik has told Geo News that the pilot, in his final words, had said that there was a technical fault with the aircraft.
"The pilot was told that both runways were ready for him to land. However, the pilot decided to do a go-around. Why did he do that, due to what technical reason, that we will find out," he said. The Air Marshal is on his way to Karachi.
#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
Airbus is aware of the crash of its passenger aircraft in Pakistan but has no further details, a company spokesman said.
"We are aware of the reports about an accident involving a passenger aircraft in Pakistan. At this time we have no further details," the representative of the company said.
List of passengers names aboard #Airbus320 PK8303 #PlaneCrash #Karachi 🙏🏼🙏🏼 #planecrash pic.twitter.com/X5uIGJR1zW
— Sohaib Ahmad🇵🇰🇹🇷 (@SohaibA84842962) May 22, 2020
There were 51 men, 31 women and nine children on aboard the PK-8303 flight, according to the PIA passenger list.
"The plane PK 8303 with 99 passengers and 8 crew members has crashed," said a spokesman for the national carrier.
The Minister of Health and Population Welfare has declared an emergency in all major hospitals of Karachi due to the plane crash, according to the Dawn.
In 2019, a PIA aircraft escaped a similar accident after it skidded off the runway while landing at Gilgit airport with no casualties. In December 2016, all 48 passengers and crew died after PIA flight PK-661 crashed en route to Islamabad from Chitral.
A representative of the Pakistani International Airlines confirmed the crash of a passenger airplane, but did not provide other details.
"We do have news that the airplane has crashed, but right now we don't have other update of how much casualties and other things," the representative of the company said.
