KARACHI, Pakistan — A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft has crashed in a residential area near the Karachi Airport.

A PIA spokesman confirmed the crash and added that the flight, A-320, was carrying 98 passengers including the cabin crew and was flying from Lahore to Karachi.

The airliner took off from Lahore and was due to land at 2:30 p.m. local time in Karachi but went missing from the radar, the spokesman said.

A statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Army Quick Reaction Force and Sindh Pakistan Rangers reached the site for relief and rescue efforts alongside civil administration.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail said the plane fell in a populated area. "The concern now is of casualties of people in the area. Rangers and rescue services have been sent, we are trying to save as many lives as possible."

Footage showed plumes of smoke rising from the site of the crash. Ambulances and rescue officials arrived at the scene to help residents. — Agencies