25 Deaths Confirmed as Pak Passenger Plane with 152 Onboard Crashes outside Islamabad: Reports

Pakistani officials have confirmed that a passenger plane, with 152 people – including six crew – onboard, has crashed in bad weather near Islamabad, say media reports

Authorities have so far recovered at least 25 bodies and expect the death toll to rise.

Pakistan’s interior minister Rehman Malik said five injured people have been taken to the hospital.

The plane operated by private carrier Airblue slammed into the Margalla Hills near the capital, where smoke was seen rising out of the trees.

Officials say the plane was traveling from Karachi to Islamabad, and was preparing to land in cloudy and rainy conditions when it crashed.

Islamabad City authorities said rescuers are battling the weather and difficult terrain to access the crash site.

A spokesman for European airline maker Airbus confirmed the crash involved one of its aircraft, said Voice of America website.

Flight – ED202, an Airbus A321, was on its way to Islamabad from Karachi when it sent in at SOS before crashing against the hilltop.