Observer Report
Karachi
The Sindh Health Ministry on Saturday reported that 97 bodies were recovered from the debris of the Pakistan International Airlines aircraft flying from Lahore to Karachi that crashed in the densely populated area of Model Colony on Friday.
According to the province’s health ministry, 66 bodies were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and 31 to Civil Hospital Karachi.
The ministry reported two survivors, adding that 21 bodies have been identified so far.
Pakistan Army’s media wing said the rescue operation is still underway by the Army Search and Rescue Team, Army troops, Rangers and social welfare organisations.
Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Maj-Gen Babar Iftikhar said 25 houses have been cleared and the residents have been accommodated at various places with the assistance of the civil administration.
The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder of Pakistan International Airlines Airbus 320 jetliner have been recovered from the crash site, a spokesperson of the airline said on Saturday.
“The black box had been found late Friday, we are handing it over to the inquiry board,” PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan said, clarifying that both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were found. According to the Sindh Health Department, family members of the passengers can visit for a cross-match. Family members can also contact 111222292-370, 0342-2762024 and 0331-9092132 for any kind of assistance.
The Karachi Administration, PIA and Civil Aviation Authority have announced telephone numbers for the families affected by the tragedy.
The numbers are 021-99242284, 021-99043766 and 021-99043833.
The numbers of airport hotels are 0311-8202494, 0334-3795309 and 0332-2226283. The numbers of the crash site are and 0300-2801833 and 0322-2380234.
