Pakistani aircraft with 90 passengers crashes in Karachi’s residential area

New Delhi: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft with 90 passengers on board crashed in a residential area near the Karachi airport on Friday.

PIA spokesperson Abdul Sattar confirmed the crash and added that the flight — A-320 — was carrying 90 passengers and was flying from Lahore to Karachi, Dawn reported.

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft A320 Airbus crashed in Model Colony near Jinnah international airport Karachi. It was carrying 90 passengers and eight crew members from Lahore to Karachi, Dawn reported.

Pakistani media report that the PIA aircraft which crashed was an A320 carrying close to 100 people. The aircraft crashed near a residential colony near Karachi airport; more details awaited.

— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2020

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed shock over the plane crash in Karachi and assured that an immediate inquiry will be instituted.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Information and Broadcasting, Asim Saleem Bajwa, said that on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s directions, all emergency services and resources have been mobilised and evacuation is in progress.

I 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: Pakistan PM Imran Khan pic.twitter.com/elTuEZXa2G

— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2020

Director, Programming, 24 News, Ansar Naqvi and Bank of Punjab President Zafar Masood were among the passengers.

Masood’s family has said that he has survived the crash but is critically injured. As the plane crashed in the populated area, the authorities have expressed concerns that there would be more casualties.

Karachi: #Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Lahore to Karachi crashes near Karachi Airport: Pakistan media, reported on Friday. The flight crashed into a residential area and was carrying 90 passengers.
(Story In Development) pic.twitter.com/q8iYWpoUNf

— Newsroom Post (@NewsroomPostCom) May 22, 2020

Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed condolences over “loss of precious lives”. “[COAS] Shares grief of bereaved families in this difficult time. COAS directed provision of full assistance to civil administration in rescue/ relief effort,” said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Further details are awaited