KARACHI: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight, on its way from Lahore to Karachi, crashed in the  vicinity of Jinnah International Airport on Friday, according to Civil Aviation Authority sources.

It was reported that 97 people were aboard the plane, including 85 passengers and 12 members of the flight crew.

The Civil Aviation Authority said PIA flight PK-8303 from Lahore was about to land in Karachi when it crashed in the Jinnah Garden area near Model Colony in Malir, local media The News writes.

Sindh Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that the rescue activities are underway and the statistics regarding the incident cannot be provided as of now.

Sindh Health Minister Azra Pechuho said that 11 bodies and six wounded were brought to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre in Karachi.

She said that the DNA tests of bodies are being conducted, adding that the authorities are satisfied with the situation at JPMC.

She added that emergency has been imposed at all hospitals in the city.

According to Geo News, Bank of Punjab (BOP) President Zafar Masood is among multiple survivors.

Director Jinnah Hospital Dr Seemin Jamali earlier spoke to media, where she said that bodies of two men and six women have been brought to the hospital so far.

She said that six wounded were also brought to the hospital, adding that most of the wounded have burn injuries.

The captain of the plane made a Mayday call just before the crash, and according to the audio played on Geo News, the pilot can be clearly heard saying that the ‘plane lost its engines’.

The plane reportedly developed a problem with its landing gear, which led to the unfortunate accident. CAA sources said that its communication was cut off with the plane a minute before it was supposed to land.

Troops form the Pakistan Army’s Quick Reaction Force and Pakistan Rangers Sindh arrived at the crash site shortly after to assist the civil administration in relief and rescue efforts.

Rescue officials were facing dificulty in rescue operations as  the streets are narrow and a huge crowd has gathered near the site of the incident.

Several houses were damaged in the area where the plane crashed. Black smoke could be seen from afar at the crash site.

‘Too early to point out cause of crash’

PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez said that said that the airline was receiving information in real time. He said that Air Marshal Arshad Malik was reaching Karachi in two hours to assess the situation.

He said that it was premature to point out any technical fault in the plane and an independent institution will carry out an investigation to ascertain the cause of the crash.

Hafeez said that the PIA would hold a detailed press conference to share the details of the crash soon.

Rescue sources said that 15-20 persons have been recovered from the crash site. The body of a 5-year-old was also found from the site. “Due to the rush, we are encountering difficulties in carrying out relief operations,” said SSP Malir. “People should avoid gathering at the accident site,” he added.