A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft, flying from Lahore to Karachi with 99 people on board, crashed near the port city’s airport in the densely populated area of Model Colony on Friday.
At least two passengers survived but many others were feared dead.
As the news broke, many international leaders took to social media and mourned the tragic incident.
Expressing his condolences over the tragic incident, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the Twitter, saying: “Deeply saddened by the loss of life due to a plane crash in Pakistan. Our condolences to the families of the deceased, and wishing speedy recovery to those injured.”
Deeply saddened by the loss of life due to a plane crash in Pakistan. Our condolences to the families of the deceased, and wishing speedy recovery to those injured.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 22, 2020
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also offered condolences, saying that Canadians were keeping Pakistanis in their thoughts. “The news from Pakistan this morning is devastating,” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.
The news from Pakistan this morning is devastating. To the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the crash of PK 8303, and to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy, our hearts go out to you. Canadians are keeping you in our thoughts today.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 22, 2020
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani also offered his sincere commiserations to the people and the government of Pakistan, saying that his “heart went out to the families of those who died in the crash”. Afghans would stand by Pakistanis in their time of sadness, he added.
My heart goes out to the families of victims who lost their lives in the PIA plane crash in Karachi. I offer my sincere commiserations to the people and the government of Pakistan. Afghans stand with you in this moment of grief.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) May 22, 2020
Turkey and Latvia also offered condolences to Pakistan over the deadly plane crash.
“Deeply saddened by the crash of plane close to Karachi Airport in brotherly #Pakistan. May Allah’s mercy be upon those who lost their lives in the crash. Condolences to our Pakistani brothers & sisters. Friendly & brotherly Pakistan’s pain is our pain,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Twitter, tagging his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Thank you always for your support and brotherhood. Together we are stronger in these trying times. https://t.co/sziE3GWxBq
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) May 22, 2020
Latvia Foreign Minsiter Edgars Rinkēvičs in a tweet from his official handle sent “heartfelt condolences” to plane victims and their families.
Thank you for your concern and support. https://t.co/rjYeiE0Ok9
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) May 22, 2020
Chinese Embassy in Pakistan also tweeted a message of solidarity, saying that it stood with the country in its time of sadness.
We learned with heavy heart the PIA plane crash close to Karachi Airport. Our hearts go out to all families who lost their loved ones today. We stand with Pakistan in the time of sadness!
— Chinese Emb Pakistan (@CathayPak) May 22, 2020
Australia's High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr Geoffrey Shaw also took to Twitter, saying his “thoughts and prayers” were with the families of those who were on the plane. The Commission was trying to determine whether any Australians were also among the passengers, he added.
Sad to hear about the tragic @Official_PIA #planecrash in Karachi today. My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of those affected. My team is making urgent inquiries of local authorities to determine whether any Australians were affected.
— Neil Hawkins (@AusHCPak) May 22, 2020
Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also offered condolences and expressed the hope that “many miraculous stories of survival” would emerge from the tragic incident.
I’m sorry to hear about the air crash in Pakistan in which many lives have been lost. News of survivors is a ray of hope & I pray that there are many miraculous stories of survival tonight. My deepest condolences to the families of those who have perished.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 22, 2020
Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked world leaders for reaching out to condole over the tragic air crash and loss of precious lives. “The people of Pakistan value this support and solidarity in our hour of grief,” he tweeted.
I thank world leaders for reaching out to condole over the tragic air crash and loss of precious lives. The people of Pakistan value this support and solidarity in our hour of grief.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 22, 2020
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