Karachi: A major search and rescue operation was underway in Pakistan after a K2 Airways Boeing 737 cargo aircraft carrying five crew members disappeared while flying from Sharjah in the UAE to Karachi, raising fears of a possible crash in the Arabian Sea.
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the aircraft, operating as flight KTA1732, reported a navigational system malfunction around 9:18 pm local time on Tuesday. Air traffic controllers at Karachi Area Control Centre guided the crew following the report, but minutes later radar showed the aircraft rapidly descending and making a sharp change in course before all radio and radar contact was lost while it was flying to the west of Karachi.
The missing aircraft was a Boeing 737-400 freighter operated by Karachi-based K2 Airways. Officials said five crew members were on board, with no passengers, as the flight was transporting cargo from Sharjah to Karachi, reported HT.
The PAA activated its Rescue Coordination Centre soon after communication was lost. Search teams from multiple agencies, including the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force, have been deployed in the Arabian Sea to locate the aircraft. A naval frigate, surveillance aircraft and merchant vessels have also joined the operation.
The cause of the aircraft’s disappearance remains unknown. Authorities have not confirmed whether the aircraft crashed. Officials said the search operation will continue until the aircraft and its crew are located.
