Plane crashes near Islamabad airport; 127 on board

ISLAMABAD (Khaleeejtimes) - A passenger plane Boeing 737 carrying 127 passengers and crew crashed at the Koral Chowk on Islamabad Express Highway in Rawalpindi on Friday.

According to initial reports, the plane belonged to private airline Bhoja Air had flown from Karachi but crashed near Islamabad airport, apparently due to bad weather.

It was raining heavily when the pilot made first contact with control tower at Benazir Islamabad Airport. Civil Aviation authorities said the plane was given landing signal at about 6.40pm and then lost contact. It later crashed in a nearby residential area.

Rescue teams were rushed to the site of the accident but there was no report if there were any survivors. Heavy downpour and darkness were hampering rescue work.

Eye witnesses said the plane caught fire immediately after crashing.

Airline officials said the plane was carrying 118 passengers and nine crew members. It was due to leave Karachi after one hour stopover.

- Afzal Khan / 20 April 2012