Pakistan Air Crash: Airbus A320 With Over 90 On Board Crashes Near Karachi Airport

UPDATE: 7.55 a.m. EDT - PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik told local media that the pilot of the aircraft had informed the control room that there was a technical fault with the aircraft.

"The pilot was told that both runways were ready for him to land. However, the pilot decided to do a go-around. Why did he do that, due to what technical reason, that we will find out," he said.

The PIA released a passenger manifest according to which there were 51 men, 31 women and nine children on board the flight. According to local reports, two bodies have been recovered so far.

UPDATE: 7:15 a.m. EDT - PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez told local media that an estimated 90 passengers and eight crew members were aboard the aircraft, which included senior journalist Ansar Naqvi.

"Saying anything right now would be premature. Our crew is trained to handle emergency landings. All my prayers are with the families. We will continue to provide information in a transparent manner," he said.

Calling it an "extremely saddening accident," Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said, "We are with the affected families in their grief. The primary attention is on relief activities right now."

Expressing his condolences, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted, "Shocked & saddened by the PIA crash. 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. Prayers & condolences go to families of the deceased."

Original story:

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight with 97 people on board crashed in a residential area a minute before landing.

The aircraft, PIA Airbus A320, was on its way from Lahore to Karachi when it crashed in a residential area near Jinnah International Airport on Friday (May 22). A total of 85 passengers and 12 crew members were on board.

Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority sources said its communication was cut off with the plane a minute before it was supposed to land.

The Pakistan Army Quick Reaction Force & Pakistan Rangers Sindh troops have arrived at the scene. Videos shared on social media showed black smoke rising from the crash site. Several houses were damaged, however, no information was available about the number of causalities.

Meeran Yousuf, the media coordinator to the Sindh health minister, told local media that emergency has been declared in all major hospitals of Karachi.

This is a developing story.