KARACHI: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane, that was carrying approximately 100 people onboard, crashed in Karachi’s Model Colony near Jinnah International Airport.
According to Dawn, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez confirmed that the A320 Airbus was carrying 90 passengers and 8 crew members from Lahore to Karachi on PK 8303. Witnesses said the Airbus A320 appeared to attempt to land two or three times before crashing in a residential area near the airport.
The death toll has not yet been confirmed but reports suggest that there are survivors. Director Programming 24 News Ansar Naqvi and Bank of Punjab President Zafar Masood were among the passengers. So far, Masood’s family has confirmed that he survived the crash.
According to BBC, Chief Minister Sindh, Murad Ali Shah has declared an emergency in all of Karachi’s hospital. The cause of the crash is yet to be confirmed and PIA chief executive Air Vice Marshal Arshad Malik said the pilot had told traffic control that the plane was experiencing “technical difficulties”.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was “shocked and saddened” by the crash , promising an immediate investigation.
Pakistanis are expressing their pain and shock on social media:
Solidarity is being expressed from the other side of the border as well.
