Crashed Russian plane has one Chinese passenger onboard: Chinese consulate

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a message of condolence to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the heavy casualties caused by the crash of a Russian passenger plane.

In the message, Xi said he was shocked to learn that a Russian passenger plane had crashed in Russia's Amur Region, causing heavy casualties. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, he conveyed deep condolences over the loss of lives and extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families.

The An-24 aircraft operated by Angara Airlines (Irkutsk) lost contact with air traffic control Thursday at approximately 1 pm local time while operating flight Khabarovsk-Blagoveshchensk-Tynda, Russia's TASS news agency reported. 

During its landing approach to Tynda Airport, the plane initiated a go-around maneuver, after which contact was lost, the report said.

The Chinese Consulate General in Khabarovsk confirmed with the Global Times that it had one Chinese citizen on board.

A working group from the consulate will arrive in the area on Friday to carry out relevant work, the Chinese consulate said.

No survivors have been found following the crash of the plane in eastern Russia's Amur Region, according to TASS, citing Russian Investigative Committee Spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko.

"All the people on board the aircraft have died," she said.

According to TASS, citing various reports, there were about 40 passengers and 6 crew members on board. An investigation is underway. The wreckage of the plane was found on a mountainside 16 km from Tynda.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been briefed on the air disaster, according to Russian media.

"As a potential scenario, crew error is being considered, with a hillside collision while landing in poor visibility. Other possibilities will be considered as well," according to the TASS, citing a source in the emergency services.