Almaty, Kazakhstan, Plane Crash: 15 Dead After Bek Air Flight Crashes Into Building, Other Countries Offer Condolences

UPDATE: 6.15 a.m. EDT - According to local reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to his Kazakhstani counterpart expressing his condolences.

He wrote that "the people of Russia share the grief of those who lost their loved ones in the plane crash and hope for the speediest recovery of those injured."Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang too expressed condolences saying, "We deeply grieve for the victims and express our sincere condolences to the families of those who were killed and injured in the plane crash."

Meanwhile, an updated list of the victims was released by the Internal Ministry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

UPDATE: 2.45 a.m. EDT - Speaking to media, Tleukhan Abildayev, the head of the pubic healthcare department of Almaty city, said the death toll has risen to 15. While 14 people died on the scene, one of them succumbed at the hospital. At least 50 others were getting treated at the hospital and their condition was not known. Meanwhile, the government has set up a commission led by Prime Minister Askar Mamin to investigate the crash. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared Dec.28 as the national day of mourning.

Original story:

At least 12 people were confirmed dead and several others injured after a Bek Air plane with 100 onboard crashed shortly after takeoff at Almaty airport, Kazakhstan, on Friday morning.

According to local reports, the plane, with 95 passengers and five crew members on board, was en route to the country's capital of Nur-Sultan when it crashed into a two-story building after losing altitude. There was reportedly heavy fog in the area when the crash took place.

Meanwhile, the Committee for Emergencies of the Internal Affairs Ministry of the Republic of Kazakhstan confirmed that seven out of the 12 dead were identified and several children were injured in the crash. Following the crash, operations of all Bek Air flights were canceled temporarily.

Expressing condolences, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the president of the country, said, "Let me express my deepest condolences to the friends and families who lost their dear loved ones in the tragedy occurred on December 27. All those injured will be rendered assistance. The Government commission led by Askar Mamin was set up. All those responsible will carry severe punishment in accordance with the law .”

This is a developing story.