A plane crash in Karachi killed 97 people yesterday. This tragedy happened against the backdrop of the COVID-19 battle going on in the country, the holy month of Ramadan, and the grand festival of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Pakistan was already trying to keep its medical facilities equipped to deal with the pandemic, and to keep its economy afloat during the lockdown.
Flights had partially resumed only a few weeks ago. And people were mostly traveling to come home and spend the festival of Eid with their families.
Little did they know the grim reaper waited for them less than a minute before they touched down.
Touch down they did, but not on the runway. They landed in a dense residential neighborhood. Less than a minute away from the landing strip.
Today (or tomorrow, depending on your time zone), the world will celebrate a bittersweet Eid.
Let’s remember the ones who left us this year. Victims of COVID-19, or the May 22nd plane crash, or anything else.
May their souls rest in eternal peace. May their friends and families have the courage to bear the loss.
Amen.