**Search Underway for Crew of Pakistani Cargo Plane That Crashed into Sea**
*Karachi, Pakistan – July 8, 2026* – A search operation is currently in progress for the five crew members of a K2 Airways cargo plane that crashed into the Arabian Sea while approaching Karachi. The Boeing 737, which had been in service for 27 years, disappeared from radar shortly after reporting issues with its navigational system.
The aircraft lost communication with air traffic control around 9:18 PM Pakistani Standard Time (16:18 GMT) as it began a rapid descent. Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated that the plane experienced drastic fluctuations in altitude, descending from 36,550 feet (11,140 meters) before entering a final dive.
On Wednesday, search teams comprising both navy and civilian personnel located submerged wreckage approximately 53 nautical miles (98 km) south of Ormara port. Despite the discovery of debris, the main wreckage of the aircraft remains unaccounted for, and officials have indicated that specialized deep-sea equipment may be necessary for further exploration.
The five crew members on board have been identified as:
- Pilot Muhammad Rizwan Idris
- Co-pilot Faisal Jatoi
- Flight engineers Muhammad Hamid and Muhammad Arif Siddiqui
- Aircraft loader Muhammad Taufiq Khan
In response to the incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences to the families of the missing crew and has instructed the government to mobilize all available resources to aid in the ongoing search efforts.
This tragic event marks a somber moment for Pakistan, which last experienced a fatal air crash in 2020, when a Pakistan International Airlines flight crashed in Karachi, resulting in the loss of 97 lives.
As rescue operations continue, the aviation community and the families of the crew members remain hopeful for a positive outcome. Further updates are anticipated as the search progresses and more information becomes available.