UN chief saddened by deadly plane crash in Pakistan

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki- moon was "deeply saddened" by the deadly plane crash in Pakistan, which reportedly killed all 152 people on board, his spokesman said in the United Nations in a statement on Wednesday.

"The secretary-general is deeply saddened by the tragic air crash today near Islamabad in which many people lost their lives," the statement said. "The secretary-general extends his heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Pakistan and the bereaved families of all who were killed in this tragic accident."

"He has written to the prime minister of Pakistan to express the sincere sympathy of the United Nations with Pakistan at this painful time," the statement added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the president of the UN General Assembly, Ali Treki, said in a statement issued here that he learned the shocking news "with deep sadness."

A total of 152 people were confirmed to have been killed in the plane crash that took place on Wednesday morning due to poor weather in the Margalla hills in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, reports said.

Among the killed, there were six crew members including two pilots, and 146 passengers including at least 20 women and seven children.

Source: Xinhua