Pakistan International Airlines with over 40 passengers crashes

A Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-661 carrying over 40 passengers crashed on its way to Islamabad from Chitral on Wednesday.

The ATR reportedly crashed at the Patola village near Pakistan Ordinance Factory, Havelian according to a report in the Dawn. Global aviation watchdog Aviation Herald said that PK-661 crashed near Abbottabad due to engine problems.

District Police Officer Abbottabad relayed reports of a plane crashing near Havelian. "PIA's ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661, carrying around 40 persons lost its contact with the control tower on its way from Chitral to Islamabad a short while ago," PIA Spokesman Daniyal Gilani tweeted. "All resources are being mobilised to locate the aircraft."

The flight departed from Chitral around 3:30pm and was expected to land at Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport at around 4:40pm.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan have directed the concerned federal departments to immediately initiate rescue efforts and help provincial government, Press Information Department said.

Army troops and army helicopters have been mobilised to a site near Havelian, Inter-Services Public Relations said.

OneIndia News