World | Pakistan
Rain, low visibility hamper search operations
Over 100 passengers of the ill-fated plane belonged to Karachi. So far 58 dead bodies have been identified using an assortment of verification methods.
- By Naveed Ahmad, Correspondent
- Published: 11:59 July 29, 2010
- Image Credit: AP
- Pakistani rescuers surround the wreckage of the Airblue passenger plane that crashed in Islamabad, Pakistan. A government official says there were no survivors.
Islamabad: Residents of Islamabad woke up this morning to extremely low visibility and heavy overnight rain, seriously hampering resumption of search operations following Wednesday's air crash.
Late Wednesday, Airblue used a special plane to bring relatives of the victims to Islamabad. However, Benanzir Bhutto Airport officials told Gulf News that flight operations may remain suspended today due to heavy rains and gusty winds along the northern and southern sides of Islamabad.
Pakistan on Thursday observed public mourning as Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani Wednesday declared the accident a national tragedy.
The Capital Development Authority spokesman told Gulf News that the road leading to Margalla Hills and tourist attractions had been closed except for rescue workers, investigators and media personnel.
"Our rescue staff, troops of Pakistan Rangers and contingents of police have already reached the site early in the morning, however, neither on-foot operation nor helicopter services can resume their service in existing weather conditions," he explained.
Rescuers will use army sniffer dogs to locate body parts scattered in the impact zone.
Over 100 passengers of the ill-fated plane belonged to Karachi. So far 58 dead bodies have been identified using an assortment of verification methods while 55 have been handed over to the families.
A doctor, not authorised to speak to media, told Gulf News requesting anonymity, "Since the DNA testing can take anywhere from one to two weeks, any identifiable body part or corpse whether through intact face or ID cards or recognizable marks are being handed over to the family after placing in sealed wooden caskets."
The families have been reacting emotionally over the delay in handing over the bodies for burial. "We have come from Karachi to receive two bodies of our family members but we have been asked to wait until the DNA tests are complete," said an exhausted Zulfiqar Siddiqui. Blood samples of victims' family members would be collected at the Community Center, Aabpara.
Islamabad has recorded 99 mm rain fall over the past 36 hours in the ongoing spell while another 60mm to 100 mm are expected to be added in the next 12 hours. "Today, the monsoon rain blanket is not only going to intensify but is also expected to spread further to central and southern cities of Pakistan," said a duty officer in Meteorological Office.
News Editor's choice
-
Ukraine leaders fight over Russian language
Violence erupts in Ukraine parliament over a bill to allow use of Russian language in courts, hospitals
-
CBSE: 100% success in many UAE schools
6,000 students from 53 schools meet grade expectations in examinations
-
'I can’t believe he is not going to come back'
Seventeen-year-old boy went missing in Dubai during a visit from Pakistan
