Iranian Spokesman Expresses Sympathy after Plane Crash in Kazakhstan
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry extended condolences after an Azeri passenger plane crashed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
Esmaeil Baqaei expressed condolences and his sympathies to the government and people of Azerbaijan Republic, as well as Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, especially to the families of the victims, following a tragic passenger plane crash en route from Baku to Grozny.
He prayed to Almighty God for mercy on those who lost their lives in the incident and wished health and swift recovery for the injured, according to the Foreign Ministry’s website.
The passenger jet from the Republic of Azerbaijan’s flag carrier crashed in western Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, killing 38 of the 67 people onboard.
The Embraer 190 aircraft was supposed to fly northwest from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to the city of Grozny in Chechnya in southern Russia, but instead diverted far off course across the Caspian Sea. It crashed Wednesday near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan.
Azerbaijan Airlines reported that 67 people were on board the jet — 62 passengers and five crew members.