Pakistani rescue workers look for survivors amid the wreckage of the plane (AP / Irfan Haider)
Heavy monsoon rain is creating havoc in Pakistan killing more than 400 people until now and destroying property, infrastructure worth millions. In the meantime, the worst is being experienced at the Pakistan plane crash site near Islamabad, where consistent rain and fog are hampering recovery efforts.
The Airbus A321, belonging to Airblue, a private Pakistani airline, crashed into the Margala hills on Wednesday killing all 146 passengers and six crew members aboard. Heavy fog and rains are predicted to be the most probable reasons for the crash, one of the most damaging incidents creating a dent in Pakistan’s aviation history.
The majority of the bodies have been recovered and rescue efforts were in full force at the crash site, struggling to salvage remains and any evidence that could provide a hint to the incident. However, operations have been abandoned due to continuous showers, preventing rescue workers from arriving at the crash site. Furthermore, helicopters are unable to fly within the area due to thick fog and low clouds.
Meanwhile, some 105 mutilated bodies’ identification process is in progress and so far 50 identified remains have been handed over to relatives. The mutilation has made it hard to recognize the victims and a special testing centre has been set up in Islamabad to test the DNA of the bodies.
A probe into the Margalla crash has started on Thursday by a seven-member team of the Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, headed by Junaid Ameen.
