Pakistan plane crash – Bank boss who was one of at least 2 survivors reveals ‘All I could see was smoke and fire’
THIS is the amazing moment a survivor is pulled from the wreckage of a plane crash in Pakistan which is feared to have left more than 90 people dead.
The Pakistan International Airlines jet crashed into houses on its final approach to Jinnah International Airport in Karachi when the pilot lost "two engines".
Incredible footage later emerged which reportedly showed banker Zafar Masood being carried away from the burning jet after it erupted into a fireball on impact.
He was later pictured smiling on a stretcher after apparently escaping with just broken bones and scratches.
The CEO of the Bank of Punjab is reported to be one at least two passengers said to have dodged death in this afternoon's tragedy.
After being plucked from the wreckage of Flight PK 8303 he was taken to hospital for treatment to a broken hip and fractured collar bones.
According to witnesses, the aircraft circled the airport two or three times before plummeting into the residential area and destroying several buildings at 2.45pm local time today.
The pilot made one aborted landing attempt before reporting a technical problem, according to local media reports.
Moments before the crash, the desperate pilot contacted air traffic control saying: "We have lost two engines. Mayday, mayday, mayday. It's serious."
One senior civil aviation official said it appeared the plane had been unable to lower its wheels for landing due to a technical fault, but it was too early to determine the cause.
Pictures emerging from the scene show bodies being carried away from the wreckage by emergency workers.
And video has been posted online showing the the Airbus A320 plummeting towards the ground.
Pictures from near the scene show clouds of thick black smoke billowing into the air above the residential area.
Pakistani model Zara Abid, who has nearly 80,000 Instagram followers, is believed to be one of the victims on the doomed aircraft.
It has been reported that the social media star is missing and that her parents are desperately trying to contact her.
PIA spokesman Abdullah H Khan said: "The last we heard from the pilot was that he has some technical problem. It is a very tragic incident."
Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted: "Shocked & saddened by the PIA crash. . . Immediate inquiry will be instituted.
“Prayers & condolences go to families of the deceased."
The jet crashed near the southern port city of Karachi, Abdul Sattar Kokhar, spokesman for the civil aviation authority, confirmed.
Arriving from the eastern city of Lahore, the plane appeared to attempt to land two or three times before crashing, witnesses said.
Model Colony, a residential area on the edge of the airport, is a poor area which is heavily congested.
A local resident, Abdul Rahman, said he saw the aircraft circling at least three times while attempting to land before it crashed into several houses.
Police and military have cordoned off the area.
Local TV station Geo showed crowds near the densely populated scene and ambulances trying to make their way through.
Airbus did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the crash.
The flight from the northeastern city of Lahore to Karachi typically takes an hour and a half to travel.