Search Underway After Cargo Plane Vanishes Off Karachi
A cargo aircraft operated by Karachi-based K2 Airways, carrying five crew members, disappeared off the coast of Pakistan late Tuesday evening. The Boeing 737 was en route from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Karachi when it encountered difficulties and lost contact with air traffic controllers.
According to Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the plane reported a navigation system problem at 9:18 p.m. local time. Radar data then indicated a rapid descent and a sharp change in heading at approximately 9:21 p.m. Shortly thereafter, both radar and radio contact were lost about 155 nautical miles (287 kilometers, 178 miles) west of Karachi.
Rescue Operations Initiated in Arabian Sea
The CAA announced on social media platform X that search-and-rescue operations are currently underway in the Arabian Sea. The cause of the disappearance remains unknown, and authorities have not yet released the identities of the five crew members on board.
The flight was a cargo service, and no passengers were listed on the manifest. K2 Airways, the operator, is a Karachi-based cargo airline. The aircraft type is a Boeing 737, a common twin-engine narrow-body jet used for both passenger and freight services.
Officials Investigate Possible Causes
Civil aviation officials are investigating the sequence of events leading to the loss of contact. The rapid descent and heading change before the signal was lost suggest a possible emergency situation, but no distress call was reported. The CAA has not confirmed any debris sightings so far.
The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety in the region, though officials have stressed that it is too early to speculate on the cause. The search operation involves multiple agencies, including the Pakistan Navy and coast guard, who are scouring the waters off the Pakistan coast.
This is the first major aviation incident involving a cargo flight in Pakistan in recent years. The CAA has promised a thorough investigation once the aircraft is located.
