37 dead as Pakistan plane with 107 on board crashes in residential area in Karachi

A Pakistan International Airlines Airbus jet with 99 people on board crashed into residential buildings in the Pakistani city of Karachi today afternoon while approaching the airport.

At least two passengers survived but many others were feared dead.

"The airplane first hit a mobile tower and crashed over houses," witness Shakeel Ahmed said near the site, a few kilometers short of the airport.

The Airbus A320 was flying from the eastern city of Lahore to Karachi in the south just as Pakistan was resuming domestic flights in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the aircraft tracking website FlightRadar24.

Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted: "Shocked & saddened by the PIA crash. I am in touch with PIA CEO Arshad Malik, who has left for Karachi & with the rescue & relief teams on the ground as this is the priority right now.

"Immediate inquiry will be instituted. Prayers & condolences go to families of the deceased."