A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane carrying 48 people has disappeared near K2, the world's second-highest mountain, prompting a desperate search operation in treacherous conditions.
Flight Details and Last Contact
The aircraft, a PIA ATR 42-500, was on a domestic flight from Chitral to Islamabad when it lost contact with air traffic control around 4:30 PM local time on Wednesday. The flight, PK-661, was carrying 42 passengers, five crew members, and one ground engineer. Among the passengers were several prominent figures, including former Pakistani pop star Junaid Jamshed.
The plane's last known location was near the remote village of Havelian, but the search area has since expanded towards the K2 region due to radar data and witness reports. A PIA spokesman confirmed that the aircraft had been in service for nearly a decade and had undergone regular maintenance.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Pakistan's military and civil aviation authorities have launched a joint search operation, deploying helicopters and ground teams to the mountainous region. However, efforts have been severely hampered by heavy snowfall, low visibility, and rugged terrain. A senior official at the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority stated, "The weather is very bad, and we are facing difficulties in reaching the suspected crash site. We are using all available resources to locate the plane."
Local villagers have reported seeing a large fire and hearing an explosion in the area, but these reports remain unconfirmed. The search teams are focusing on a remote valley near the village of Kharal, where some debris has been spotted from the air.
Historical Context and Previous Incidents
K2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen, is the second-highest mountain on Earth after Everest, standing at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet). It is notoriously difficult to climb, with a higher fatality rate than Everest. The region has seen several aviation incidents over the years, including a 2012 crash of a PIA flight that killed all 127 people on board near Islamabad.
The disappearance of PK-661 has raised concerns about aviation safety in Pakistan, which has a mixed record. According to the Aviation Safety Network, Pakistan has experienced 33 aviation accidents since 1947, resulting in over 1,200 deaths. The most recent major crash was in 2016, when a PIA flight from Chitral to Islamabad crashed near Havelian, killing 47 people.
Impact and Reactions
The incident has sent shockwaves through Pakistan, with many taking to social media to express their grief and concern. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered an immediate investigation and expressed his condolences to the families of those on board. In a statement, he said, "I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims."
The families of the passengers have gathered at the PIA terminal in Islamabad, anxiously awaiting news. Many have criticized the airline for a lack of communication and transparency. PIA has set up a helpline for relatives, but it has been overwhelmed with calls.
The search operation continues, but officials have warned that the chances of finding survivors are slim given the harsh conditions and the time elapsed since the plane went missing. The investigation will focus on the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilots' experience, and weather conditions at the time of the disappearance.
