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Pakistan plane crash: Dozens die as jet hits homes in Karachi

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TheTenthMan
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Apr 12, 2020 9:27 pm

Pakistan plane crash: Dozens die as jet hits homes in Karachi

Post by TheTenthMan »

A Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A320 flying from Lahore has crashed in the densely populated Model Colony residential area of Karachi.

Flight PK8303, carrying 91 passengers and eight crew, was trying to land at Jinnah International Airport.

Provincial health officials confirmed at least 37 fatalities, but a far higher death toll is feared. At least three passengers survived.

The pilot had reported a loss of engine power and subsequently issued a mayday.

Air disasters timeline
TV footage showed rescue crews combing through debris strewn across the streets of Model Colony, 3.2km (two miles) north-east of the airport. A number of houses were destroyed.

The plane lost contact with air traffic control just after 14:30 local time (09:30 GMT), an airline spokesman said.

Eyewitness Mohammed Uzair Khan told the BBC he had heard a massive sound and went outside his home. "Almost four houses were completely collapsed, there was so much fire and smoke," he said. "They are almost my neighbours, I can't tell you what a horrible thing it was."

Dr Kanwal Nazim told BBC Urdu she heard people screaming and saw clouds of black smoke rising from the three houses adjoining a mosque.

Health officials in Sindh, the province where the plane crashed, said 37 bodies had so far been brought to the Jinnah and Civic hospitals, but it was unknown whether they were passengers or residents.

The cause of the crash is yet to be confirmed. PIA chief executive Air Vice Marshal Arshad Malik said the pilot had told traffic control that the plane was experiencing "technical difficulties".
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