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A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane with 107 people on board has crashed in a residential area of Karachi.
The Airbus A320 was traveling from Lahore when it crashed in Pakistan's largest city.
Images posted to social media show smoke billowing out from a building in the wake of the crash near Jinnah International Airport on Friday.
PIA said there were 99 passengers on board the aircraft and eight crew members.
"The plane crashed in Karachi. We are trying to confirm the number of passengers but initially it is 99 passengers and eight crew members," Abdul Sattar Khokhar, a spokesperson for the country's aviation authority, told AFP.
PIA spokesperson, Abdullah Hafeez, added in a statement: "Saying anything right now would be premature. Our crew is trained to handle emergency landings. All my prayers are with the families. We will continue to provide information in a transparent manner."
The mayor of Karachi, Wasim Akhtar, said he does not believe there are any survivors from the crash.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted: "Shocked & saddened by the PIA crash. Am in touch with PIA CEO Arshad Malik, who has left for Karachi & with the rescue & relief teams on ground as this is the priority right now.
"Immediate inquiry will be instituted. Prayers & condolences go to families of the deceased."
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi added: "Deeply grieved over devastating plane crash in [residential] area flying to Khi & mins away from landing with many making way home for Eid. Terrible tragedy, my prayers with all families.
"We are in midst of grave challenges as a nation & in these times of trial we must show resolve & unit."
Horrifying, tragic. An @Official_PIA Airbus A320 has crashed in a residential area in Karachi. There were 107 on board. Had taken off from Lahore, crashed during approach to Jinnah Int’l Airport, Karachi. pic.twitter.com/n7dR9lI99N
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) May 22, 2020
The Pakistan Armed Forces tweeted that Army Quick Reaction Force & Pakistan Rangers Sindh troops had reached the incident site for relief and rescue efforts alongside civil administration.
Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters have also flown for damage assessment and rescue efforts, with Urban Search & Rescue Teams being sent to the site.
Witnesses said the plane appeared to attempt to land two or three times before it crashed.
The crash occurred just days after Pakistan allowed commercial flights to resume after planes were grounded amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Pakistan is also currently preparing to celebrate the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr, with many people returning to their home towns.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
About the writer
Ewan Palmer is a Newsweek News Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on US politics, and Florida ... Read more