"Today we got the information that the plane crashed , no survivors ," the minister said.

He said a trans-national commission has been set up to probe the cause and is expected to submit its report within 30 days according to the rules of International Civil Aviation Organization.

The minister also said the government had decided to declare national mourning soon.

"In the name of the government of Mozambique we want to express our condolences to the affected families for this sad incident," he said.

According to the initial passenger information released by the airline, the victims include a Chinese national, a French, a Brazilian, five Portuguese, nine Angolans and 10 Mozambicans. Families of some passengers waited hours at Maputo International Airport Saturday only to learn the sad ending.

"We contacted them soon after hearing the information but we were told to wait because there is still no confirmation. The whole family now is devastated," said Jose Luis who lost four relatives in the crash.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Mozambique Li Chunhua told Xinhua that the Chinese victim was a 30-year-old businessman who came from Angola to Mozambique recently for business opportunities with friends.