Tehran Expresses Regret Over Gulf Air Plane CrashIranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi here on Thursday expressed regret over the Gulf Air plane crash on Wednesday, which killed all 143 people on board.On behalf of the Iranian government and people, the spokesman offered sympathy and condolences to the Bahraini government and the families of the victims of the accident, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported. The two-engine Airbus A320 coming from Egyptian capital Cairo plunged into the sea Wednesday night near Bahrain when it tried to land at the Bahraini International Airport. Officials of the Gulf Air have confirmed that the passengers included 63 Egyptians, 34 Bahrainis, 12 Saudis, two Britons, an Australian, nine Palestinians, six from the United Arab Emirates, three Chinese, one Korean, one Kuwaiti, one Sudanese, one Omani and an American. The eight crew members included two Bahrainis and one each from Oman, the Philippines, Poland, India, Morocco and Egypt. Gulf Air belongs in equal parts to Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven sheikdoms making up the United Arab Emirates. The Bahrain-based Gulf Air operates a fleet of 28 planes and flies to 53 international destinations. There are altogether 1,100 Airbus A320s in service around the world and the Airbus A320 can seat up to 150 passengers. |
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