The Airblue flight 202, flying from Karachi to Islamabad, suddenly lost contact with the airport here and crashed near the popular Damanekoh resort in the Margalla Hills at about 9.45 a.m.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said five people had survived the crash.

A media report quoting Express News TV, however, said that at least 40 to 45 people had survived the crash and the survivors were taken to a hospital in Islamabad.

At least 40 survivors had been found, according to rescue team officials, Xinhua reported.

All the survivors have been given first-aid treatment on the spot and were being shifted to hospitals in Islamabad.