Pakistan has launched a major search and rescue operation after a Boeing 737 cargo aircraft carrying five crew members went missing off the coast of Karachi on Tuesday night.
The aircraft, operated by Karachi-based K2 Airways, was flying from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Karachi when it lost contact with air traffic control. According to Pakistan’s airport authority, the plane was about 155 nautical miles, or 287 kilometres, west of Karachi when communication was lost.
Before disappearing, the pilot reported a navigation system problem at around 9.18pm local time. Karachi air traffic control then provided guidance to the aircraft, but three minutes later, it was seen descending rapidly before vanishing from radar over the Arabian Sea.
A multi-agency sea search and rescue operation has since been launched. Reports said Pakistan Navy frigate PNS Zulfiqar, a Pakistan Air Force Saab aircraft, maritime assets and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation vessel Lahore were also deployed to assist in the search.
