Islamabad: At least 130 people were killed in Pakistan when an airliner with a 127-strong complement on board crashed near Islamabad city on Friday evening in inclement weather, Xinhua reported citing local media reports.
The Pakistan Defence Ministry confirmed that 118 people were killed in Bhoja Airline flight B4-213 crash, said reports.
Reports suggest the plane, carrying 118 passengers and nine crew, was making its final approach to the airport when it crashed, BBC reported.
Saifur Rehman, from a police rescue team, said the plane came down in Hussain Abad village, two miles from the main Islamabad highway.
Reports said the Islamabad-bound plane came down at Lohi Bher area, a few kilometres from the capital city. It was coming from the port city of Karachi.
The Boeing-737 crashed on houses, causing fires.
The accident took place near Chaklala airbase in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, Geo News reported.
According to sources, the Boeing 737, which flew from Karachi at 5.00 p.m., was supposed to land in Islamabad at 6.40 p.m. but crashed just before touchdown.
Confirming the crash report, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said rescue teams, including army personnel, have rushed to the accident site.
According to sources in the CAA, the flight was given clearance to land but it lost contact with the control tower minutes before it crashed.
Rescue teams, including Pakistan army personnel, rushed to the crash site.
There is “no chance” of any survivors after a plane carrying up to 130 people crashed while trying to land in bad weather near Islamabad on Friday, police said.
“There is no chance of any survivors. It will be only a miracle. The plane is totally destroyed,” police officer Fazle Akbar told AFP from the crash site. (Agencies)
