Investigators and rescue officials have found around Rs 30 million in cash in the wreckage of the Pakistan International Airlines’ aircraft that crashed with 99 people on board, killing 97 people.
Investigators and rescue officials have found currencies of different countries and denominations worth around Rs. 30 million from the aircraft’s wreckage, an official said on Thursday.
“An investigation has been ordered into how such a huge amount of cash got through airport security and baggage scanners and found its way into the ill-fated flight,” the official said. He said that the amount was recovered from two bags in the wreckage. Some major Pakistani news outlets have misreported his statement as ‘illegal’ money which was then picked up by Indian newspapers as well.
Investigators find 30 million in cash in crashed PIA aircraft wreckage. #PakistanPlaneCrash #PIACrash #PIAPlaneCrash #PIA #PK8303 #Karachi #KarachiPlaneCrash #Pakistan https://t.co/SmrkNTPH0t
— www.THEPIGEONEXPRESS.com (@TPE_connect) May 29, 2020
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The PIA official said that such an amount cannot be transported without informing the airline and that an extra seat ticket needs to be purchased for transporting such huge amounts of cash. “A passenger cannot carry it in their luggage or cabin baggage.”
He said for such large amounts of cash, a passenger has to be seated next to the cash. “No passenger had brought an extra seat.” So far, three people have come forward to claim the money, the spokesperson said.
“The process of identifying the bodies and their luggage which will be handed over to their families and relatives is going on,” he said.
A total of 97 people including the aircraft crew died in the crash, one of the most catastrophic aviation disasters in Pakistan’s history.
Flight PK-8303 from Lahore to Karachi crashed in a residential area near Karachi International Airport on Friday, with only two passengers miraculously surviving the crash.
A government official said on Thursday that the identification of 47 bodies had been completed, while 43 bodies were handed over for burial.
Friday’s accident was the first major aircraft crash in Pakistan after December 7, 2016 when a PIA ATR-42 aircraft from Chitral to Islamabad crashed midway. The crash claimed the lives of all 48 passengers and crew, including singer-cum-evangelist Junaid Jamshed.
Read more: PIA plane crash: How to cope with a national tragedy
Investigation report of PIA plane crash
Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 1 million for the families of those who were killed in the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane crash.
Aviation Minister stated that provisional investigation report of PIA airplane crash will be put before the cabinet and public on 22nd of next month.
Addressing a media briefing in Islamabad, he said investigation process will be free, fair and transparent and without any influence. He said the report will not give reprieve to any person responsible for the incident.
He said investigation board has the authority to include any stakeholder during investigation. The Minister said recorders for voice conversation and data have been recovered which will be taken to France by an Airbus team for decoding and further analysis.
طیارہ حادثے کی رپورٹ کے حوالے سے وفاقی وزیر غلام سرور خان کا پروگرام پاور پلے میں بڑا اعلان#PlaneCrash #PIACrash #PK8303 https://t.co/pdau3E4vUj
— ARY Videos (@ARYVideos) May 28, 2020
Ghulam Sarwar said fifty one bodies have been identified so far after their DNA tests were held and handed over to their relatives. He said remaining bodies are in various morgues and are being DNA tested. He said the government will give a compensation of one million rupees to relatives of each deceased. He said the insurance money will be in addition to this amount.
Read more: PIA plane crash: PM Khan & PIA CEO statement
The Minister said he held teleconference with PIA management immediately after the plane crash. He said team of Airbus reached Karachi on 26th of this month. He said 12 to 15 houses were badly damaged when the plane hit them. He said 97 out of 99 people were martyred in the accident.