Air carrier flight crew reported the TRACON Controller descended them to an altitude below the minimum vectoring altitude then issued a low altitude alert.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported the TRACON Controller descended them to an altitude below the minimum vectoring altitude then issued a low altitude alert.
Narrative
Arriving into ZZZ on downwind leg to runway XXR off the ZZZ arrival; we were given a descent to 4000 feet before ZZZZZ. We were then given a descent to 1600 feet and told to expedite". All three of us heard this and I read back the descent clearance of 1600 feet. As I was doing so; I was mentally thinking that this altitude is lower than normal; there is terrain in the area; however I think we are okay since we are going to make a right turn towards the airport now; and it is VMC. But also thinking; there must be traffic somewhere we cannot see due to the "expedite" and/or; we are being squeezed in on the approach. As we were descending through approximately 2100 feet; the controller called out an altitude alert to us and to climb to 2600 feet which we immediately did so. In listening to the ATC tapes; I do believe I hear 1600 feet assigned from the controller; but also feel I should have questioned the altitude. The rest of the flight went without incident. ATC Issued Low Altitude Warning."
Second reporter narrative
On approach into ZZZ we were verbally cleared to 1500ft and being vectored onto the final approach fix. The flying pilots initiated the turn; started a descent and we were quickly issued an altitude alert. Pilot flying initiated quick corrective action and the flight continued uneventfully. We were in VMC and we had the field in sight. I personally believe that ATC issued a bad vector and all three of us concurred.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.