…several feared dead
The flight PK 8303 from Lahore was about to land in Karachi when it crashed at the Jinnah Garden area near Model Colony. Pakistan PM Imran Khan has expressed shock over the incident.
Fire brigade staff try to put out fire caused by plane crash in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, May 22, 2020. Several people were feared dead after a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) carrying 90 passengers and eight crew members crashed in a residential area near the Karachi Airport on Friday, Dawn reported.
The flight PK 8303 from Lahore was about to land in Karachi when it crashed at the Jinnah Garden area near Model Colony, Dawn reported. 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.
Expressing shock over the incident, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said rescue and relief teams were on the ground and an immediate inquiry would be instituted. He also gave his condolences to the families of the deceased.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered his condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. 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. 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.
Footage shared on social media shows smoke billowing from the site of the crash. Ambulances and rescue officials have been pressed into service to help residents. According to reports, several houses and cars have been damaged in the area where the aircraft crashed.
Videos from the crash site, as per Dawn, showed bodies buried underneath rubble and residents gathering in streets littered with debris.
Source: The Indian EXPRESS