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Putin offers condolences over deaths in Be-200 crash in Turkey

Eight people were killed

MOSCOW, August 14. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his condolences to the families and friends of the Russian servicemen killed in the crash of Be-200 amphibious aircraft in Turkey on Saturday, the Kremlin said adding that the president also sent a message of condolences to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"The Russian servicemen, the members of the Be-200 crew, alongside Turkish specialists were involved in the most important humanitarian mission, protecting lives and fighting massive fires in the Republic of Turkey. They acted in the most difficult conditions and fulfilled their human and professional duty to the end. I understand that grief came to every family of the deceased. Please accept my sincere words of support. I am certain that the memory of those courageous people will forever be preserved both in Russia and in Turkey," the Russian president said in a telegram cited by the Kremlin press service.

In his telegram to Erdogan, Putin offered his deep sympathy over the death of Turkish nationals who were aboard the Be-200 plane.

"Russians, alongside Turkish, are fighting against the natural disaster that has struck your country. That is why the pain of loss unites us. Please convey my sympathy and support to the families and friends of the deceased. May courage and fortitude never leave them in this hour of need," says the telegram cited by the press service.

The Russian Defense Ministry’s Be-200ChS amphibious aircraft crashed on Saturday in southeastern Turkey where it was helping to put out forest fires. There were five Russian servicemen and three Turkish representatives, who were pointing out the fire locations to the crew, aboard the aircraft. All of them were killed. A Russian Defense Ministry commission has been dispatched to the crash site to establish the causes of the tragedy. Putin ordered to present awards to the killed servicemen posthumously.

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