PK-661 crash: DNA tests to be completed by end of next week, says PIMS administrator
PIA flight PK661 smashed into the side of a mountain near the town of Havelian on Wednesday.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – The Administrator at Islamabad’s PIMS Hospital has expressed hope that DNA tests of PIA plane crash victims will be completed by December 17 and after this process the bodies will be handed over to their relatives.
Speaking to media in Islamabad on Sunday, Dr. Altaf said 9 out of 45 dead bodies of the victims have been identified so far.
He said different technologies including DNA tests, biometric and dental history are being used for the identification of the victims.
Dr. Altaf informed that two bodies have been identified with the help of biometric system.
He said the DNA samples of all the Pakistanis and Chinese national have been collected while the samples of two foreigners are awaited.
- DNA samples of Chinese national’s relatives obtained
- Authorities complete process of DNA sample collection
At least 47 people, including famed rock star-turned-preacher Junaid Jamshed, were onboard the PK661 when it smashed into the side of a mountain near the town of Havelian, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, on Wednesday, after taking off from the mountain resort region of Chitral.
Engine trouble was initially believed responsible, but many questions remain, stirring new worries about the safety record of money-losing state carrier Pakistani International Airlines.
A PIA spokesman said the pilot, who issued a "mayday" emergency call before the crash, may have prevented an even bigger catastrophe by manoeuvring the plane away from populated areas.
