DUSHANBE, August 26, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- On Monday August 25, President Emomali Rahmon sent a telegram of condolences to his Kyrgyz counterpart, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, over a Sunday’s air crash that left 68 dead, according to presidential press service.

In his message, President Rahmon also asked to convey his deep condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed in the air crash.  

We will recall that a passenger plane crashed shortly after take-off from Kyrgyzstan''s capital, Bishkek, Sunday evening, killing 68 out of the 90 passengers and crew.  There were many foreigners on board, including Iranians and Canadians.

The Itek Air Boeing 737 took off bound for Iran, but turned round about 10 minutes later.  The crew reported a technical problem, and the plane crashed not far from the airport and caught fire.  All six Kyrgyz crew members and an Iranian aviation official were among the survivors, the press office of Kyrgyzstan''s government said.