Pakistan: 17 Killed as Military Plane Crashes in Rawalpindi

The death toll could rise further as many of the injured are in a critical condition. Rescue operations are underway.

New Delhi: As many as 17 people died, including two pilots, as a small plane crashed into a residential area near Rawalpindi in Pakistan on early Tuesday morning. Rescue operations are underway.

According to reports, an army aviation aircraft was on a routine training when the plane suddenly lost signal and went down in the Mora Kalu village on the outskirts of Rawalpindi. Television footage of a local media showed blazing fire in the residential area.

Pakistan:Pilots Lt Col Saqib and Lt Col Waseem (in pic) lost their lives in Pakistan Army aircraft crash near Mora Kalu in Rawalpindi, today. pic.twitter.com/lanURn92Nn

— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2019

In a statement, the military officials said that five among the deceased were soldiers. Farooq Butt, an official at the state-run emergency called 1122 to declare an emergency at hospitals as 10 had died in the crash. At least 20 people had been injured according to him.

Rescue officials said that the reason for the accident is still unknown as the plane suddenly lost control with the tower. However, the death toll could rise further as many of the injured are in a critical condition.