Jetliner crashes in crowded area, killing dozens
KARACHI, Pakistan — A jetliner carrying at least 98 people crashed Friday in a crowded neighborhood near the airport in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi after an apparent engine failure during landing.
Officials said there were two survivors from the plane but also found at least 57 bodies in the wreckage.
It was unknown how many people on the ground were hurt as the Pakistan International Airlines jet, an Airbus A320, plowed into an alley and destroyed at least five homes.
The pilot was heard transmitting a mayday to the tower shortly before the crash of Flight 8303, which was flying from Lahore to Karachi and carrying many traveling for the Muslim holiday of Eid alFitr.
Video on social media appeared to show the jet flying low with flames shooting from one of its engines.
The plane went down northeast of Jinnah International Airport in the poor and congested residential area known as Model Colony between houses that were smashed by its wings. Police in protective masks struggled to clear away crowds amid the smoke and debris so ambulances and firetrucks could reach the crash site.
As darkness fell, crews worked under floodlights, and a portable morgue was set up. The Sindh provincial health department said it had recovered 57 bodies, while PIA chairman Arshad Malik said finding all the dead could take several days.
Pakistan’s civil aviation authority said the plane was carrying 91 passengers and a crew of seven.
At least two people aboard survived, according to the health department.
Local TV stations showed video of a man on a stretcher they identified as Zafar Masood, the head of the Bank of
Punjab. Malik later confirmed that Masood survived the crash.
Malik announced an investigation into the crash, adding that the aircraft was in good condition.
A transmission of the pilot’s final exchange with air traffic control, posted on the website LiveATC.net, indicated he had failed to land and was circling to make another attempt.
“We are proceeding direct, sir — we have lost engine,” a pilot said.
“Confirm your attempt on belly,” the air traffic controller said, offering a runway.
“Sir, mayday, mayday, mayday, mayday Pakistan 8303,” the pilot said before the transmission ended.