Islamabad - The plane crashed in a residential area near Karachi airport with around 100 onboard.
Published: Fri 22 May 2020, 11:30 PM
Updated: Sat 23 May 2020, 8:25 AM
Pakistan International Airlines issued a statement on the tragic plane crash on Friday. Flight 8303 from Lahore crashed in a Karachi residential area carrying 99 onboard.
PIA CEO held a press conference on Friday evening and assured an inquiry into the incident. He said that 41 had been confirmed dead while media reports said that two passengers had survived.
Rescue and clean up operation was underway into the night as well. Pakistan had resumed domestic flights ahead of Eid Al Fitr.
Full statement:
'We deeply regret to announce that a PIA flight PK 8303 from Lahore to Karachi (Aircraft Airbus A-320) registration (AP-BLD) crashed near Karachi Airport at 14.39 hrs PST (1.39pm UAE time) today, May 22, 2020. No further details of the accident are available at the moment. 91 passengers, Seven crew members were on board.
Details are still coming about the unfortunate and sad incident. PIA is doing everything possible to assist authorities at this time
As per international aviation requirement, an Emergency Response Center has been established at PIA Headquarters Karachi from where senior PIA management is monitoring the situation since the incident took place.
Rescue efforts are under way and we are also ascertaining the extent of damage to life of those on board the aircraft. PIA is doing everything possible to help the families of passengers and crew members for first hand information regarding the incident and damage.
The crash site is near Karachi Airport.
PIA's emergency response center can be accessed at the following phone numbers for updates: 0092-21-99043833, 99242284 and 0092-21-990443766'