Erdoğan offers condolences to Putin over crashed Russian passenger aircraft

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım offered condolences to their Russian counterparts for the Russian passenger plane crash that left more than 70 people dead on Feb. 11.

In his condolence message to President Vladimir Putin, Erdoğan said he felt “deep sadness” about the Russian airplane that crashed in Moscow’s suburbs with 71 people aboard, state-run Anadolu Agency reported, citing a Turkish presidential source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Yıldırım also offered condolences to his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in a telegram, according to Turkish prime ministerial sources.

“I would like to wish patience upon the families of those who lost their lives in this painful incident and I offer my condolences to your government and the friendly Russian people,” he said.

Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu spoke with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov over the phone to offer his condolences, according to a diplomatic source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

White House also sends condolences over Russian plane crash

The United States administration also expressed its condolences to Russia after the plane crash.

“The United States is deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of those on board Saratov Airlines Flight 703,” the White House said in a statement.

“We send our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Russia,” the statement added.

The Saratov Airlines flight crashed near the town of Ramenskoye, according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. Aboard the flight were six crew members and 65 passengers, including a child.