Turkey offers condolences to Kazakhstan for plane crash

By Zuhal Demirci

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey Friday conveyed condolences to Kazakhstan over a deadly aircraft crash.

“We are deeply saddened to hear that this morning a passenger plane from Almaty to Nur-Sultan crashed shortly after take-off causing tragic loss of life and injuries both onboard and at the crash site,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“We share the sorrow of friendly and brotherly people of Kazakhstan and express our profound sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families and wish speedy recovery to the injured,” the statement added.

At least 15 people were killed and 66 injured early on Friday when a passenger plane crashed while taking off in Kazakhstan.

According to the Committee for Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan, the Bek Air plane was bound for Almaty from the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan with 88 passengers, including eight children and five crew members on board.

The airline announced it suspended activities as well as the flights of its Fokker 100 type planes until the reason of the incident was uncovered.