At Least 37 Killed in Turkish Cargo-Plane Crash in Kyrgyzstan

At least 37 people have been killed after a Turkish cargo jet crashed near Kyrgyzstan’s Manus airport Monday, The Kyrgyz Emergency Situations Ministry has said.

The plane was due to stop near the Kyrgyz capital city Bishkek en route to Istanbul from Hong Kong, when it reportedly crashed trying to land in heavy fog. It then plowed through a village, damaging around 15 buildings and killing residents, Reuters reports.

Kyrgyz officials had initially identified the plane, a Boeing 747-400, as a Turkish Airlines jet. However it was subsequently claimed by ACT Airlines, a Turkish cargo operator.

“Our TC-MCL signed plane, flying on Jan. 16 from Hong Kong to Bishkek, crashed on landing at Bishkek at the end of the runway for an unknown reason,” ACT Airlines told Reuters by email. “More information will be disclosed concerning our four-person team when we get clear information.”

This is a developing story.