An Islamabad-bound ATR-42 aircraft belonging to Pakistan International Airlines and flying from Chitral crashed near the town of Havelian, Pakistan, , Geo News reported. The aircraft was carrying 47 passengers.
The report cited Civil Aviation Authority sources saying that the plane went missing from the radar at 4.30 pm local time after having started its journey at 3 pm.
"We regret to inform that PIA's ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661, carrying around 40 persons lost its contact with control tower on its way from Chitral to Islamabad a short while ago. All resources are being mobilised to locate the aircraft. Media will be kept informed as situation develops," PIA said in a statement.
Initial TV reports suggested that around 35 people are feared to be dead as a result of the crash. Villagers living around Ordinance factory near Havelian said that they witnessed smoke emitting from the crash site.
Quashing any hope of survivors, a government official on the scene said, “All of the bodies are burned beyond recognition. The debris is scattered."