PIA flight crashes near Havelian, Pakistan

December 7, 2016

crashed into a mountainous region near, Pakistan today. None of those on board are thought to have survived. The Pakistan International Airlines domestic flight from was nearing its destination in Islamabad. PIA said the carried 42 passengers, five crewmembers, and one additional staff member. Dozens of bodies, many badly burned, have been recovered from the fiery wreckage.

Local policeman Kurshid Tanoli said emergency vehicles can only reach Batolani, the nearest village. Personnel must then walk half an hour to the scene, he said.

Debris is strewn for several kilometres across the region of. Bodies are being recovered to Ayub Medical Teaching Hospital. The airline said the flight carried two Austrians and one Chinese national.

Among those on board was, a celebrated popstar who abandoned music in favour of preaching after joining. Jamshed ran a nationally successful fashion business. His wife joined him on the flight. Osama Warraich, a senior civil servant in Chitral, was also on board. Passengers also included two infants.

The aircraft, AP-BHO, was just under ten years old. PIA reported the aircraft encountered engine trouble at around 16:15 local time. After beginning a descent and declaring mayday, the plane lost control and turned left before crashing. The and   are in the Civil Aviation Authority's possession.

Pakistani media has claimed the flight was operating with some known technical faults.  reports receiving information to the contrary.