Fire brigade staff try to put out fire caused by plane crash in Karachi, Pakistan. Photo / AP
Fire brigade staff try to put out fire caused by plane crash in Karachi, Pakistan. Photo / AP
A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft has crashed in a residential area near the Karachi Airport.
Pakistan's Aviation Ministry said the flight was carrying 99 passengers and 8 crew members.
Mayor of Karachi at scene of crash said none of the 107 passengers, crew survived.
Flight PK8303 took off fromLahore and was due to land at 2.30pm local time in Karachi but went missing from the radar, Pakistan Airlines spokesman Abdullah Khan told CNN.
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.
CAA sources said that its communication with the plane one minute before its landing was cut off. It is estimated that 91 passengers were aboard the flight, 85 in economy class while six were in business class.
Scenes posted on social media show the smoke from the crash. Photo / via Twitter
The Pakistan Army Quick Reaction Force & Pakistan Rangers Sindh troops arrived at the crash site shortly to assist the civil administration the relief and rescue efforts.
Fire trucks are at the sight....rescue operations are under way for PIA Airbus A320 crash site in Karachi. It is a congested urban area. This has been a terrible year all around. The wreckage and homes remain on fire with jet fuel. pic.twitter.com/FEgO8mc9zB
