PIA crash: Austrian embassy requests FO to help transport citizen's remains

PIMS administrator says heirs of Chinese victim have provided blood samples for DNA test

ISLAMABAD: The Austrian embassy has requested the Foreign Office to help transport the remains of a citizen killed in the PK-661 crash, FO spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told The Express Tribune on Saturday.

The office has written a letter to the authorities concerned in this regard, the spokesperson added.

DNA tests

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Administrator Altaf has said the heirs of a Chinese passenger killed in the crash have provided blood samples for a DNA test.

Nine bodies have been handed over the bereaved families so far, he said. The bodies are being identified using different techniques, Altaf added.



He said DNA tests would continue on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, saying official holidays had been postponed to quickly complete the process.

Separately, PIA CEO Bernd Hildenbrand said the airline would ensure that the remaining bodies were handed over to their families once the identification process had been completed.

He visited Saddha Batolni village in Havelian and met locals, thanking them for promptly helping in rescue efforts. Hildenbrand also visited the site of the crash, laid a floral wreath and observed a minute's silence. PIA Vigilance Director Mohammad Asif also accompanied the CEO and examined the area.



According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), nine of the deceased have been identified. They are Ahsan, Amna Ahmed, Maahrukh Ahmed, Haji Nawaz, Muhammad Takbeer Khan, Chitral DC Osama Ahmed Warraich, Sami and air hostesses Asma Adil and Sadaf, a statement read.

PK-661 reportedly crashed into a hillside after one of its two turboprop engines failed while travelling from the city of Chitral to the capital, and burst into flames killing everyone on board. Among those on board was singer-turned-evangelist Junaid Jamshed.