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FlyDubai CEO offers condolences to Russia crash victims

Xinhua, March 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

Ghaith Al-Ghaith, CEO of Dubai-based budget carrier Flydubai, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims who died when a Boeing 737-800 passenger plane from Dubai crashed at the destination airport in southwestern Russia early Saturday.

The Flydubai Flight 981 fell near the left of the runway at the Rostov-on-Don airport at about 03:50 Moscow time (0050 GMT) while making a second attempt to land amid poor visibility conditions caused by heavy rain, the emergencies ministry of Rostov region said in an online statement.

The ill-fated plane carried 55 passengers and seven crew members on board and all of them were killed. Reports said the passengers included 33 women, 18 men and four children.

"Our primary concern is for the families of the passengers and crew who were on board... We are making every effort to care for those affected and will provide assistance to the loved ones of those on board," al-Ghaith said in a statement.

"While we are still awaiting final confirmation, it is with great sadness that we believe there are no survivors," the carrier said in an emailed statement.

Flydubai, or the Dubai Aviation Corporation, has opened two hotlines -- +442034508853 or +97142934100 -- for those worried to call for information.

Meanwhile, the Dubai Media Office confirmed those killed in the crash include 44 Russians, eight Ukrainians, two Indians and one person from Uzbekistan.

The media office also offered condolences on behalf of the entire United Arab Emirates (UAE) for those who lost loved ones. Endit