Seychelles sympathizes with Pakistan following deadly plane crash

The Seychelles President Danny Faure. (State House) 

(Seychelles News Agency) - Seychelles President Danny Faure on Thursday sent a message of condolence to Pakistan after the crash of a Pakistani aircraft that claimed the lives of all onboard.

Three foreigners – two Austrians and one Chinese – were among the 47 people killed, as the Pakistan International Airline flight crashed into a mountain in the north of Pakistan.

In his message addressed to the Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussein, the Seychellois head of state conveyed condolences to the families of the victims and to the Pakistani people

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of the victims and it is our hope that they can find solace in these dark hours," said President Faure.

The plane was travelling from the city of Chitral to the capital Islamabad when it went down.

According to a BBC article, an official of the airline said the pilot made a mayday call and also reported an engine problem before losing contact.

“Pakistani authorities have said the apparent engine issues will be a focus of enquiries,” reads the article.

Relatives of the passengers are being asked to submit DNA samples for identification of the burnt bodies.

While plane crashes are not uncommon in Pakistan, BBC said the last major one involving a Pakistan International Airline flight was in 2006, which killed over 44 people.