PM Erdogan offers condolences for victims of crash

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday gave his condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives in a plane crash in the Netherlands. "Our crisis desk, together with the civil aviation authorities, has been monitoring the investigation being carried out at the scene," he said. "The process is being closely monitored. We hope that all the injured passengers survive this accident. Our wish is that we overcome this accident with minimal damage." Dutch Premier Jan Peter Balkanende telephoned Erdogan to offer his condolences for the casualties. He said he was personally following developments concerning the crash, reassuring Erdogan that Dutch authorities were providing all necessary aid. Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim said that the cause of the crash would be determined after an investigation. "The crashed plane recently underwent maintenance by civilian aviation authorities," he said. Speaking to reporters alongside THY CEO Temel Kotil, THY Chairman Candan said the captain of the plane was a very experienced pilot. Karlitekin also briefed President Abdullah Gul on the crash. Aviation experts said the way the pilot landed the plane had prevented the crash from being more deadly.