Thailand extends condolences to China on Feb 4 plane crash

BANGKOK, February 6 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn have sent their letters to Beijing, extending their condolences and profound sadness on a tragic plane crash in Taiwan earlier this week, in which 31 people were killed and 16 others were injured. In his letter, Prime Minister General Prayut said, on behalf of the Thai government and people, he wishes to extend his heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the bereaved families of the victims and the injured in the tragic incident on February 4. The prime minister also said the Thai people's thoughts and prayers are with the victims' families and all the Chinese people during this difficult time. The Thai deputy prime minister and foreign minister, meanwhile, also extended his deep sadness and sympathy to the families who have lost their beloved ones and wished those injured rapid recovery. The twin-engine short-haul TransAsia Airways passenger plane, Flight GE235, carrying 58 people, 31 of them were from China, hit an elevated bridge and crashed into the Keelung River in Taipei, Taiwan's capital, on Wednesday morning. According to Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration, the incident took place just about 10 minutes after the aircraft, destined for Kinmen Island, took off from Taipei Songshan Airport. (TNA)