Pope, World Leaders Send Condolences over Iranian Plane Crash
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Pope Francis joined officials from around the globe in offering condolences to Iran over the deaths of dozens of people on board a plane that crashed in Tehran on Sunday morning.
On Tuesday, Pope sent a telegram to the archbishop of the Iranian city of Isfahan, expressing deep sadness for the death of passengers in the fatal crash.
“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened by the tragic air accident in Tehran, and he asks you to convey his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims,” Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said in the telegram.
The aircraft, an Iran-140 of Ukraine’s Antonov origin, crashed on Sunday morning in west of the capital Tehran, shortly after take-off from the Mehrabad Airport.
The plane had 48 passengers and crew on board, of whom 39 have been pronounced dead so far.
Condolences from different countries have been pouring in following the deadly incident.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah and Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri were among the politicians that offered condolences to Iran.
On Monday, the US Department of State also condoled with the bereaved families of the victims.
"On behalf of the US government, we wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of those who lost their lives," said Deputy Spokesperson of the Department Marie Harf.
