K2 Airways cargo plane wreckage found in Arabian Sea, but crew still missing
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said the Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) successfully located and identified the wreckage of the missing K2 Airways Boeing 737 cargo aircraft. The discovery came after nearly 12 hours of search and rescue operations in the deep waters of the Arabian Sea.
According to the PAA, the wreckage was found 53 nautical miles south of Ormara. The search operation involved several air and sea assets deployed by the Pakistan Navy and the maritime agency.
Authorities said the bodies of the crew members have not yet been recovered. They added that “efforts are underway” and the search operation is continuing.
The PAA said more information will be shared as the operation progresses. Officials are continuing to examine the crash site while rescue teams remain active in the area.
K2 Airways #KTA1732 is reportedly missing. Preliminary ADS-B data indicate a possible crash in the sea southwest of Karachi. https://t.co/IIMDHaGTAy pic.twitter.com/KbyI5kKmh1
The cargo aircraft disappeared from radar over the Arabian Sea, around 300 kilometres west of Karachi, while travelling from Sharjah to Karachi. Reports said the pilot informed air traffic controllers about a navigation problem and requested assistance before contact with the aircraft was lost.
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K2 Airways is a private airline based in Karachi and was established in 2018 after receiving an airline charter licence from the government. The airline operates cargo services and its missing aircraft triggered a large-scale rescue mission.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to intensify search and rescue efforts. He also expressed heartfelt sympathy to the families of the five crew members who were on board the aircraft.
Finding the wreckage is an important step, but many questions still remain unanswered. The ongoing search for the crew and the future investigation are expected to reveal what caused the aircraft to go down.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed concern about the missing aircraft and hoped for a successful search and rescue operation, according to a statement issued by the President House.
“The president extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the aircraft’s crew and expressed complete solidarity with them during this hour of trial,” the statement added.
