The list of tragedies that have befallen upon us in 2020 continues to grow as reports emerge that a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane (Flight PK8303) has crashed in the Model Colony residential area around 3.2 km away from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi.
According to BBC, the Airbus A320 had 91 passengers and 8 crew members on board. It took off from Lahore at 1.05 pm local time and crashed at 2.34 pm.
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
Tragic 😩
PIA flight PK-8303 crashed in a residential area near Karachi airport causing damage to several households. ✈️ 🚨 #BreakingNews #planecrash pic.twitter.com/zvU8MF52Zw— Danyal Gilani (@DanyalGilani) May 22, 2020
India Today quoted DG ISPR, Pakistan Army’s spokesperson saying, “Pak Army Aviation helicopters flown for damage assessment and rescue efforts. Urban Search & Rescue Teams are being sent on-site for rescue efforts.”
Pakistani forces and fire brigade reach the residential area near Karachi airport where the PIA flight crashed this afternoon. Rescue efforts underway. pic.twitter.com/VYZi8eMqEW
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) May 22, 2020
Here's the latest situation near the flight #PK8303 crash site in Karachi.
The Pakistan Army says troops have arrived for relief-and-rescue efforts #PIACrash pic.twitter.com/I0jFgxwHAE— Bloomberg QuickTake (@QuickTake) May 22, 2020
PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Arshad Malik has confirmed that the pilot complained of “technical difficulties” and a probe would be undertaken to ascertain what went wrong. CNN quoted airline spokesperson Abdullah Khan saying,
“The pilot in his Mayday call had said that he was experiencing technical problems. He had been told both landing strips were available for his use but he preferred to use the go-around landing route, we are looking into the technical issue. Our prayers for the lives that have been lost.”
PIA CEO Air Marshal (Retd) Arshad Mahmood Malik on the PIA aircraft crash in Karachi, Pakistan. Says, Pilot was going through technical difficulties during landing. Conveys condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash. pic.twitter.com/tQLXejx2Sh
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) May 22, 2020
The exact number of casualties has not been ascertained yet. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were on the flight as well as the residents of the crash site.