Scores Killed As Turkish Airline Crashes Into Village
Not less than 37 people have been reportedly killed after a Turkish cargo plane crashed into a village in Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations has said.
The Boeing 747, which was headed from Hong Kong to Kyrgyzstan’s capital of Bishkek, crashed at 7:18 a.m. local time on Monday, about two kilometers (1.2 miles) away from the airport, according to Kyrgyzstan’s state-run Kabar Agency.
At least eight people, including children, were reportedly hospitalized, with about fifteen homes destroyed.
Advertisement
“The number of victims is increasing quickly,” Elira Sharipova, a spokeswoman for Kyrgyzstan’s Emergency Ministry told CNN.
“The fire service, rescue services, ministry of internal affairs and the prime minister and emergencies minister are there.”
According to the Deputy PM Muhammetkaly Abulgaziev, the crash was caused by error made by the pilot.
“According to preliminary information, the plane crashed due to a pilot error,” Abulgaziev said on state TV.
Advertisement
Earlier, Kubatbek Boronov, the minister of Emergency Situations, said poor visibility may have caused the crash.
Meaning Boeing released an email statement, expressing its condolences to the affected families.
“Boeing extends its deepest condolences to the families of those who perished in the Turkish Airlines cargo Flight TK6491 accident near Manas Airport Kyrgyzstan, operated by ACT Airlines, as well as its wishes for the recovery of those injured.
“A Boeing technical team stands ready to provide assistance at the request and under the direction of government investigating authorities.”
