KARACHI: The Sindh health department confirmed 60 deaths and rescue of two passengers in the plane tragedy late on Friday night.

The survivors were identified as Zafar Masood, the chief executive officer of Bank of Punjab and Mohammad Zubair.

“They are being treated at Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) and Darus Sehat Hospital,” said Meeran Yousuf, the media coordinator for health department, adding that five bodies had been identified so far.

Meanwhile, 37 bodies of crash victims were brought to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) whereas 19 bodies were taken to the CHK.

Two passengers survive plane crash

“Three dead bodies have been handed over to their relatives. Six patients, who got injured on the ground, have been treated and they have left,” said Dr Seemin Jamali, JPMC executive director and in-charge of its emergency section, adding that the unidentified bodies were being taken to the mortuaries of Edhi and Chippa.

The deceased who were identified at the JPMC are: Mohammad Tahir, Syeda Saima Imran and Faryal Rasool.

Medical superintendent of the CHK Dr Khadim Qureshi said: “No dead body could be identified and the police surgeon will carry out their DNA sampling. Mohammad Zubair, one of the two airline crash survivors, is under treatment at the hospital. He got 35 per cent burns.”

Eighteen-year-old Naheeda and 40-year-old Aziza, who were injured on the ground, are also under treatment at the hospital.

Emergency declared in hospitals

Sindh Minister for Health Dr Azra Pechuho has said that an emergency has been declared in all hospitals after the plane crash in the metropolis, adds APP.

Speaking to media persons, she said that according to the available details total 107 passengers were on board.

Dr Pechuho said that the total number of casualties could only be confirmed after completion of rescue and evacuation operation.

She further said that four of the injured persons were in stable condition.

DNA samples were being collected and bodies would be handed over to the bereaved families after DNA verification, she said.

She said that surgical units had also been put on alert after the crash.

She said that the Pakistan Peoples Party was already careful due to the Covid-19 emergency.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2020