On Friday, a jetliner carrying 98 people crashed into a crowded neighborhood near Karachi airport in Pakistan. Officials found two survivors and at least 57 bodies among the wreckage.
The Airbus A320 crashed into a poor residential area known as Model Colony, hitting at least five houses. It remains unknown how many people were injured and killed on the ground.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) officials have announced that it may take two to three days to find all the casualties.
The chairman of the PIA, Arshad Malik announced that an investigation into the crash will take place. Malik also added that prior to the crash, the aircraft was in good working order.
Flight 8303 was flying from Lahore to Karachi carrying many for Eid al-Fitr – a Muslim holiday. Shortly before the crash, the pilot was heard transmitting a mayday to the tower.
“We are proceeding direct, sir – we have lost engine,” a pilot onboard said. The air traffic controller responded, “Confirm your attempt on belly,” and offered a runway.
“Sir, mayday, mayday, mayday, mayday Pakistan 8303,” the pilot said before the transmission ended.
As of May 23, Pakistan has recorded 52,437 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 1,101 deaths. Southern Sindh province – where Karachi is located – is the epicenter of the outbreak with 20,000 of the country’s cases.
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