Chinese President Xi Jinping offers deep condolences to Putin over plane crash

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a message of condolence to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, over the crash of a Russian airplane.

Flowers in memory of the victims of a Saratov Airlines Antonov An-148 plane crash, by a flight information board at Domodedovo International Airport. The passenger plane with 71 people on board bound for the Ural city of Orsk crashed minutes after taking off from Domodedovo International Airport on February 11, 2018. [Photo: IC]

The Russian airliner carrying 71 people crashed Sunday shortly after taking off from Moscow, killing all the people on board, including 65 passengers and a crew of six.

Xi said in his message that he was shocked at the incident and offered his deep condolences to all the victims on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name.

People at a city airport. A Saratov Airlines Antonov An-148 plane with 71 people on board bound for the Ural city of Orsk crashed minutes after taking off from Domodedovo International Airport on February 11, 2018. [Photo: IC]

Xi also extended deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also sent a message of condolence to his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, over the crash.