Rescue work of crashed plane in Pakistan suspended due to heavy rains

No foreigners have been found on the passenger name list released shortly after the plane crash, sources told Xinhua after talking on the telephone to the Airblue airliner which the crashed plane belonged to.

The Chinese Embassy to Pakistan told Xinhua that no Chinese citizens were aboard the plane after it had confirmed with the Pakistani Interior Ministry.

Hundreds of people including troops, police, firemen, doctors and local residents are fighting the rains and difficult terrains in the Margalla Hills where the plane crashed to join the research and rescue operation.

A whole battalion of troops in addition to seven military helicopters are involved in the rescue work.

Two zoo keepers who happened to be nearby the site where the plane crashed told Xinhua that they saw the plane taking very low flight brushing the trees on the ground and the pilots were trying desperately to take the nose up but failed. The landing gears of the plane were put on before it crashed, they said.

The Pakistani prime minister has ordered the military to conduct an investigation into the accident immediately following the tragedy. At a later stage, the government announced one-day mourning for the victims in the plane crash.

So far the reason for the crash is not known yet despite the fact that the black box of the plane has been found. It could be related to bad weather as it was raining heavily in Islamabad when the plane crashed. Many flights coming into Islamabad have reportedly been canceled due to bad weather.

The possibility of terrorism can not be ruled out as the terrorist groups in Pakistan have repeatedly threatened to blow up airplanes during the last month or so.  

Related:

Black box of crashed plane in Islamabad found

Location of Margalla Hills in Pakistan's capital Islamabad. (Map Source: Google Maps)

ISLAMABAD, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The black box of the plane which crashed in the northeast part of the Pakistani capital Islamabad Wednesday morning has been found and is being decoded by the Pakistani air forces, reported local media.

At about 10:00 am local time Wednesday morning, an airbus 320 with flight number ED-202 carrying 152 people including six crew members crashed in the Margalla Hills lying to the northeast part of Islamabad minutes before it was supposed to land at the capital 's airport.Full story

No Chinese or foreigners found on passenger name list in plane crash in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD, July 28 (Xinhua) -- No Chinese or foreigners were found on the passenger name list which was released by the local authorities following a plane crash which took place on Wednesday morning in the Margalla Hills in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, officials with the Airblue airliner told Xinhua in a telephone interview.Full story

List of passengers in plane crash in Islamabad released

ISLAMABAD, July 28 (Xinhua)-- List of the passengers in a plane crash which took place on Wednesday morning in the Margalla Hills in Pakistan's capital Islamabad has been released, so far it is not known how many foreigners were aboard the flight.Full story

Passenger plane crashes in Pakistan's capital, 152 onboard

ISLAMABAD, July 28 (Xinhuanet) -- A passenger plane, 152 passengers onboard, crashed into Margalla Hills in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Wednesday morning but no immediate casualty report has been received, police sources said.Full story

Pakistani President, PM shocked over air crash in capital

Islamabad, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday expressed their shock and grief over the crash of an aircraft on the Margalla hills in the capital of Islamabad, due to bad weather.Full story