ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) jet heading to Islamabad from Chitral has crashed near Havelian, Abbottabad, moments after it disappeared from radar, ARY News reported.
PIA’s ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661 was scheduled to reach Islamabad but it lost contact with control tower. Captain Saleh Hayat was operating the flight. There were 42 passengers and five crew members aboard the ill-fated craft which included renowned religious personality Junaid Jamshed and his wife.
In pictures: Final moments before the plane met tragic fate
Civil Aviation Authority and PIA spokesperson confirmed that all 47 aboard the aircraft are dead and there are no survivors.
Sad & tragic incident, confirming no survivors of 47 aboard crashed flight #PK661.
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ
— CAA Pakistan (@AirportPakistan) December 7, 2016
The airline had activated its emergency response centre soon after craft disappeared from the radar.
PIA’s emergency response centre can be accessed at following numbers 0092-21-99044890, 0092-21-99044376 and 0092-21-99044394.
Rescue teams of Pakistan Army soon reached the crash site and started the rescue operation. At least 40 dead bodies have been recovered from the debris.
“Rescue effort continues. 40 bodies recovered so far,” Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan directed FIA & NADRA teams to rush to the crash site, identify dead bodies to help in the initial investigation.
Chairman PIA Azam Sehgal’s press conference
Later in a press conference, PIA Chairman Azam Sehgal also confirmed that none aboard PK-661 survived the crash.
Sehgal said the ATR-42 aircraft had undergone regular maintenance and had in October passed an “A-check” certification.
“I think that there was no technical error or human error ,” he said while assuring all that a proper investigation will follow.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed his deep grief and sorrow over over the loss of valuable lives in the crash. On the directions of PM following steps are being taken:
National Emergency Operation Centre is activated for coordination and National Disaster Management Authority can be contacted for help on this number 051-9205037
NDMA has advised Provincial Disaster Management Authority and District Administration to transfer all casualties to a single hospital for recognition and further transportation.
Ministry of Interior has placed its helicopters on the disposal of NDMA to evacuate dead bodies.
Chairman NADRA is being asked for mobile biometric teams for recognition purpose.
District administration has been taken on board through PDMA
Chairman NADRA has activated mobile biometric team to identify dead bodies.Dead bodies are being transferred to Hospital Havelian And Ayub Medical college Tehsil Havelian
DC Abbottabad office confirmed that burnt bodies will be shifted to Ayub Medical Teaching Hospital Abbottabad. Contact number 0992 9310200
Plane involved in today’s sad incident.#PK661pic.twitter.com/Pwql3NwF0t
— Azhar Nawaz (@Azhar_Nawaz) December 7, 2016
Also Read
Major Pakistan plane crashes before PK-661
Junaid Jamshed, who lost his life in the crash, was seen with some of his fellows in Chitral on a tweet posted on December 4 on his official Twitter account. Jamshed retired from music in 2001 and announced that he was devoting his life to Islam, joining the Tableeghi Jamaat.
Heaven on Earth Chitral.
With my friends in the Path of Allah . Snowpacked Tirchmir right behind us pic.twitter.com/ZajcWEKlrG— Junaid Jamshed (@JunaidJamshedPK) December 4, 2016
Condolences pour in
Shocked & saddened by the tragic PIA plane crash near HavelIan. May Allah give the families of the deceased courage to bear their loss.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 7, 2016
So sad. 47 precious lives lost in an unfortunate air crash. Pray, Allah, grants the families strength to bear this loss. #RIP #PK611
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) December 7, 2016
Very sad and grieved to hear about the tragic news of #PK661 plane crash that took the life of my very dear friend @JunaidJamshedPK 1/2
— Syed Mustafa Kamal (@KamalPSP) December 7, 2016
2/2 May Allah reward him and all the victims JannatulFirdous and give their family and friends the strength to bear this unbearable loss.
— Syed Mustafa Kamal (@KamalPSP) December 7, 2016
— Sheikh Rashid Ahmad (@ShkhRasheed) December 7, 2016
Extremely saddened on #PIACRASH heart goes with the aggrieved families. Loss of JJ along with other precious souls is too much #Pakistan 🙁
— Faisal Subzwari (@faisalsubzwari) December 7, 2016
A sad day for Pakistan. May Allah bless the departed souls of the PIA plane crash. Government may announce it as a National tragedy.
— Syed Ali Raza Abidi (@abidifactor) December 7, 2016
Mysterious case of missing PIA jet
The latest PIA jet crash incident reminds of another such horrific tragedy that occurred in 1989. This above photo shows ill fated AP-BBF at Karachi Airport. On August 25, 1989, AP-BBF vanished in Himalayan mountains.
The aircraft was operating early morning flight from Gilgit to Islamabad. The wreckage of this unlucky Fokker was never found. AP-BBF was carrying a total of 54 people including five crew members and 49 passengers.
