MONITORING (SW) – A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane, with an estimated 98 people onboard, crashed in Karachi's Model Colony near Jinnah International Airport on Friday.
PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez confirmed the crash and added that the A320 Airbus was carrying 90 passengers and 8 crew members from Lahore to Karachi on PK 8303.
According to Dawn news, Saad Edhi, spokesperson of the Edhi Foundation, said they have shifted 13 bodies from the plane to different hospitals. Around 25-30 injured people, who are residents of the area, have also been brought to the hospital.
He said nothing concrete could be said about the number of deceased and survivors as of now.
Soon after the crash, Sindh Minister of Health & Population Welfare declared an emergency in all major hospitals of Karachi.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani reacted to the incident via a tweet: "My heart goes out to the families of victims who lost their lives in the PIA plane crash in Karachi. I offer my sincere commiserations to the people and the government of Pakistan. Afghans stand with you in this moment of grief".
Earlier, Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mohammad Hanif Atmar had tweeted: "Express my deepest condolences to HE @SMQureshiPTI on the tragic loss of lives in plane crash in Karachi today. May Allah bless the souls of the deceased and console families and friends affected!
ENDS
