Pakistan mourns as air crash investigation starts

Initially, there were reports of several survivors from the crash, but those early hopes quickly faded once rescue teams arrived on scene to survey the destruction. “There is nothing left, just piles and bundles of flesh. There are just some belongings, like two or three traveling bags, some checkbooks, and I saw a picture of a young boy. Otherwise everything is burned,” rescue worker Murtaza Khan told the Associated Press. The full scope of the challenge confronting rescue teams became apparent as videos of the crash scene began to appear on video-sharing website YouTube revealing just how difficult conditions are on the ground.

 

On the ground video of rescue efforts for Wednesday's plane crash outside of Islamabad (source: You Tube user saqib)

 

The day after the crash, as the search for bodies has ended and the investigation into what prompted the accident begins, there are widespread suspicions that bad weather may have played a role. Heavy monsoon rains and thick clouds have covered the region for several days, prompting aviation officials to believe the plane may have inadvertently veered off course. Witnesses said the plane appeared to be flying very low and that it seemed unsteady in the air. “The plane had lost balance, and then we saw it going down,” said eyewitness Saqlain Altaf who was on a family outing in the hills nearby when the crash occurred.

 

The plane’s manufacturer, Airbus, said it will provide technical assistance to crash investigators.  However, the aircraft had no known technical issues nor did the pilots send any emergency signals, according to Airblue spokesman Raheel Ahmed.