CORR- Iran Sets Up Response Taskforce for Families of Kyrgyz Crash Victims

//CORR- correcting headline to “Iran sets up response taskforce for families of Kyrgyz crash victims.” //Text of report by state- run Iranian TV channel two on 24 August

[Presenter] A [Boeing] 737 aircraft belonging to Kyrgyzstan Airlines crashed moments after taking off from Bishkek airport at 2030 hours [time zone unspecified]. Unfortunately, approximately 100 passengers have been killed. We have the spokesperson for the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization, Mr Ja’farzadeh on the line.

[Ja'farzadeh] Good evening, I apologize that the phone was disconnected the first time around. As I said, a Kyrgyz [Boeing] 737 aircraft travelling the Bishkek-Tehran route and belonging to a Kyrgyz company called ITEK Air crashed moments after taking off from Bishkek airport around 2030 hours local time [1430 gmt]. Based on the information we have received thus far, there were 86 passengers on the aircraft and probably a seven-person crew.

According to international civil aviation rules, investigating the crash is not the responsibility of the Iranian civil aviation authorities. In light of the fact that the destination of the aircraft was Iran, there were probably Iranian passengers on the aircraft. We will provide you with details in future news updates.

By order of the head of Iran’s civil aviation organization, Captain Khanlari, a taskforce has been established at the Imam Khomeyni Airport in order to allow us to respond to our beloved countrymen who might have had loved ones on the aircraft.

Originally published by Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 2, Tehran, in Persian 1800 24 Aug 08.

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