A cargo plane has crashed into a residential area of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, soon after take off, setting off a huge blaze.
The aircraft had eight crew on board, the civil aviation authority said,
Casualties on the ground appeared likely. TV footage showed a large fire at the scene of the crash in Karachi.
Aviation authority spokesman Pervais George said the Russian-made cargo plane was heading to Sudan when it came down two minutes after take-off.
He said he could not confirm any information on casualties.
Reporters at the scene said several buildings were on fire and loud explosions were heard.
The plane came down in a housing complex for Naval officers, the reporters said.
The crash was the third in less than four months in Pakistan.
Earlier this month in Karachi, 21 people were killed when a small passenger plane crashed soon after take off.
In July, a passenger jet operated by Pakistan carrier Airblue crashed into hills overlooking the capital, Islamabad, during stormy weather, killing all 152 onboard.
