Five soldiers among 19 killed in Pakistani military plane crash in Rawalpindi
- The military’s information wing said the plane was on a routine training mission when the accident occurred
- The crash created a fireball that lit up the night sky and terrified residents
A military plane in Pakistan crashed into a residential area before dawn on Tuesday, killing at least 19 people, most of them in their homes on the outskirts of the city of Rawalpindi, officials said.
Fires, damaged houses and debris were visible in Mora Kalu village near Rawalpindi after daybreak. Victims’ relatives were seen wailing and crying as rescuers loaded charred bodies into ambulances.
Rescue officials said 14 civilians, including children, and all five crew aboard the aircraft were killed, including the two pilots.
Farooq Butt, an official at the state-run emergency service, said 14 people were also injured in the crash. He said the death toll could rise as some were in critical condition
“Most of the victims received burn injuries,” Butt said.