Putin extends condolences to Indonesian president over plane crash near Java
MOSCOW. Oct 29 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message to Indonesian President Joko Widodo to extend condolences over the crash of a passenger plane near the Java Island, the Kremlin press service said on Monday.
"Russia shares the grief of those who have lost their near and dear in this crash and wishes them to be strong and brave at this time of ordeal," Putin said in his message.
A Boeing 737 MAX 8 of the Indonesian airline Lion Air crashed on Monday morning several minutes after taking off from the Jakarta airport. The plane routed for Pangkal Pinang on the Bangka Island disappeared from radar screens about 10 minutes into the flight. The search started right away. Plane debris was found in the sea near the western coast of Java.
According to the Jakarta Post, there were 181 passengers, including three children, and eight crewmembers onboard.