Cargo Plane Crashes into Arabian Sea Near Karachi; Five Crew Members Feared Dead
A private cargo aircraft operating a routine flight from Sharjah International Airport in the United Arab Emirates to Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport tragically crashed into the Arabian Sea on Wednesday evening, authorities have confirmed.
The devastating incident occurred at approximately 21:21 Pakistan Standard Time, shortly after the aircraft initiated its descent toward the coastal metropolis. The plane subsequently went missing from radar, sparking an immediate emergency response.
The ill-fated flight was operated by K2 Airways and carried a total of five crew members onboard at the time of the accident. While the airline has not yet released an exhaustive manifest, four of the crew have been positively identified by sources close to the investigation.
They include Mohammad Rizwan Idrees, who served as the Pilot in Command; Faisal Mehmood, the First Officer; Muhammad Toufique Khan, the Load Master; and Arif Siddiqui, the Engineer.
The identity of the fifth crew member remains unconfirmed as rescue teams work against the clock. All five individuals are currently unaccounted for and are feared to have perished in the impact.
In the wake of the disaster, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has activated its emergency protocols. Large-scale Search and Rescue operations are being conducted by concerned government organizations, with naval assets and maritime patrol aircraft actively scouring the Arabian Sea for any signs of wreckage or survivors.
K2 Airways has issued a formal statement pledging its full and transparent cooperation with the CAA and other government agencies involved in both the recovery mission and the subsequent investigation. Authorities have noted that rough weather conditions in the region are posing significant challenges to the rescue teams.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif officially confirmed the crash in a public statement, conveying his profound condolences to the affected families. He expressed his “deep sorrow, grief, and regret over the tragic incident,” assuring the nation that the government is closely monitoring the evolving situation.
The Prime Minister’s office also confirmed that all available state resources are being utilized to assist in the recovery efforts.
The news was initially reported by Inquirer and Arabian Business, citing the Prime Minister’s confirmation. As aviation investigators prepare to analyze flight data, the focus remains firmly on the ongoing search operation and providing unwavering support to the grieving families of the five crew members during this hour of immense tragedy.
