ACT 747 Crashes in Kyrgyzstan Killing 37

A Turkish cargo plane flying from Hong Kong has crashed in Kyrgyzstan, killing at least 37 people, most of them on the ground, officials say.

The Boeing 747 TC-MCL aircraft operated by ACT Airlines crashed as it landed in fog at Manas airport, 25km (15 miles) north of the capital, Bishkek.

At least 15 buildings were destroyed in a village outside the airport, with a number of children among the dead.

Flight TK6491 was to have stopped at Manas en route to Istanbul in Turkey.

ACT is an Istanbul-based airline operating under the name MyCargo. The plane is believed to have been around 14 years old.

Deputy PM Muhammetkaly Abulgaziev said on state TV: "According to preliminary information, the plane crashed due to a pilot error."

One witness, Baktygul Kurbatova, told local media: "I woke up because of a bright red light outside. I couldn't understand what was happening.

"It turns out the ceiling and the walls were crashing on us. I was so scared but I managed to cover my son's face with my hands so that debris would not fall on him."

Image copyrightRADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY

Image captionAt least 15 houses were destroyed as the plane appeared to overshoot its landing

Image copyrightEPA

Image captionThe jet came down on the village of Dacha-Suu, an area popular for holiday homes

Image copyrightAFP

Image captionThere were initial reports that one crew member had survived but later reports merely spoke of one missing pilot

Image copyrightREUTERS

Image captionThe plane came down shortly after 07:30 local time (01:30 GMT). Visibility was poor at the time because of fog

Image copyrightAP

Image captionThere were at least four people on board the plane, officials said. A number of people have been taken to hospital with injuries, with fears the death toll could rise

Image copyrightREUTERS

Image captionOne witness told AFP news agency: "The plane crashed into the houses. It killed entire families. There's nothing left of the houses. Many people were sleeping"

Image copyrightRADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY

Image captionHundreds of rescuers are working at the scene. They were joined by Prime Minister Sooronbai Jeenbekov. President Almazbek Atambayev cancelled a visit to China, Kyrgyz media said

Image copyrightAFP

Image captionManas airport, the country's main international airport, has been closed

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