50 killed in Pak air crash: Official

Islamabad, July 28 (IBNS) At least 50 people were killed in a plane crash in Margala Hills, near Pakistani capital Islamabad, on Wednesday, said a top official.

“Rescue workers have recovered 45- 50 charred bodies from the Airblue passenger plane wreckage,” Ramzan Sajid, a spokesman for Islamabad’s Capital Development Authority (CDA) told Pak media.

However, Sajid could not specify the number of survivors or missing passengers.

Pak Interior Minister Rehman Malik said five injured people have been recovered from the debris. They have been hospitalized.

Meanwhile, the plane’s Black Box has been recovered, said the Civil Aviation Authority.

The Islamabad-bound flight that was coming from Karachi had crashed near the capital. There were 151 passengers and six crew members on board the ABQ-202, owned by a private Pakistani airliner.

Thick smoke and inclement weather was hampering rescue and search operations. Helicopters have also been pressed into rescue operations.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani government, ruling out sabotage, has ordered an inquiry into the accident.

For information regarding passengers who were on board the plane, people can contact the Crisis Management Cell at 051-9211223-4.