No survivors in Airblue plane crash

An Airblue flight flying from Karachi to Islamabad crashed into the Margalla Hills on Wednesday morning killing all of 152 passengers on board.

The plane lost contact with the control tower shortly before the crash which occurred amid thick fog and heavy rainfall in Islamabad. The plane caught fire after the crash which severely hindered relief efforts.

It is reported that the pilot was instructed to perform a go around due to traffic on the runway, however due to severe weather in the city, very low visibility caused the crash.

Other sources put a fuel tank explosion as the reason for the crash.

The exact reason for the crash has not yet been determined.

An investigation into the air crash is underway, while Prime Minister Gilani has ordered the Defence Ministry to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

Meanwhile, the CAA has recovered the blackbox from the blast site, which it is hoped will help determine the cause of the crash.

Sialkot sinks in rain water

Heavy rainfall has led to crisis in the Sialkot district, as dozens of trees were recently uprooted and fell on the main roads including under construction passages. The Daska-Gujranwala Road, Sialkot-Pasrur Road, Sialkot-Sambrial-Wazirabad Road, Pasrur-Narowal Road and adjoining areas remained blocked for several hours on Wednesday.

The rain has severely compromised electricity and communication systems in the district as power supply remained suspended for several hours in urban and rural areas throughout the district. “It feels like the city is flooded, there is no where to walk and several houses have been completely destroyed,” Pasrur resident Karimullah said.

The downpour started early on Wednesday morning and continued throughout the day. After the prevailing heat-wave in the district, locals have expressed relief at cooler temperatures following the rain. “We can never really enjoy the rain, because it always means floods and damage but it is a relief from the heat,” Sambrial resident Shabana said. “The day has been dark and cloudy and the rain has caused a halt in regular activity but I am still grateful for the rains,” she said. The rainfall has affected all low-lying urban and rural areas in the Sialkot region, paralyzing normal life. “Despite all the problems, people still always come out in the flooded streets to enjoy the rain,” resident Shahnawaz said.