A cargo plane carrying five crew members has vanished off the coast of Pakistan after losing communication with air traffic control during a journey from the United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority has initiated search and rescue operations in the Arabian Sea following the disappearance of the aircraft late on Tuesday night. The reason for the incident remains unknown at this time.
The Boeing 737, belonging to K2 Airways based in Karachi, was en route from Sharjah to Karachi when the crew signaled a navigation system problem around 9.18pm local time.
Reportedly, radar data indicates that the plane experienced a sudden drop in altitude followed by a sharp turn a few minutes later. Contact with the aircraft was lost at approximately 9.21pm while it was about 155 nautical miles west of Karachi.
Authorities are actively conducting search operations to unravel the fate of the aircraft and its crew members.
K2 Airways, a private Pakistani cargo airline situated at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, was established in 2017 and operated scheduled and charter freighter flights connecting domestic and regional international destinations.
The cause of the disappearance is yet to be determined. Officials have only confirmed that the crew reported a navigation system issue before the contact was lost. Investigation into flight data, communications, and any recovered debris will be crucial in determining the sequence of events.
Search and rescue teams, including Pakistan’s navy, air force, and emergency agencies, have been mobilized in the Arabian Sea to aid in the operation.
The last known location of the aircraft was approximately 287 kilometers west of Karachi.
The aircraft was carrying five crew members; no passengers were onboard during the cargo flight.
Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority has announced that search and rescue efforts are ongoing in the Arabian Sea. The cause of the aircraft’s disappearance remains unknown.
