MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. There are no Russian nationals among the victims of the Boeing 747 cargo plane crash near Bishkek, an employee of the Russian Embassy in Bishkek told TASS on Monday.

"We have checked the information," the source said. "There are no Russian citizens among the victims."

The embassy also confirmed that the cargo plane was owned by a Turkish airline.

The Boeing 747 cargo plane crashed near the Manas International Airport at 7.30 a.m. local time (01.30 a.m. GMT) during the landing. Kyrgyzstan’s Transport Ministry said the plane was on the Hong Kong-Bishkek-Istanbul flight. There were five crew members onboard. The aircraft crashed at a suburban settlement, where people live permanently. Nearly 15 one-storey houses were destroyed. At least six children are among those dead.

According to Kyrgyzstan’s Health Ministry, 37 people have died in the plane crash, including the crew members. Search and rescue operation is underway at the crash site.