Condolences Pour in as Cuba Mourns Crash Victims

Several world leaders have sent their condolences to the people of Cuba following the crash of a Boeing 737 plane, which killed over 100 persons Friday. The plane, which crashed shortly after takeoff from the Havana's main airport, was en route to Holguin with 114 passengers and crew on board.

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Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), issued a statement expressing condolences to the people of Cuba.

“The Caribbean Community extends its deepest sympathy to the families of the victims and its sincere wishes for the speedy recovery of those passengers who were injured during this unfortunate aviation accident,” the statement read. “The People of the Caribbean Community share the grief of the People of Cuba at this moment of national mourning.”

The president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, also expressed condolences to the head of the Republic of Cuba, Chairman of the State Council and Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermudez, saying that he was saddened by so many people killed in the crash.

"On behalf of myself and the Azerbaijani people I express my condolences in connection with the tragedy to you, the families and friends of the deceased, the entire Cuban people, I wish the wounded to recover as soon as possible," he wrote.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tajikistani President Emomali Rahmo, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, all sent condolences for the family members and loved ones of those killed in the plane crash and wished a speedy recovery for the handful of survivors.

At least five of the passengers and the crew were foreign, according to reports. Two Argentine citizens and an unspecified number of Mexicans are among the dead, the Argentine and Mexican governments said.

Carlos Alberto Martinez, director of Havana's Calixto Garcia hospital, told Reuters that four victims of the crash had been were brought there and one died. Three others, all women, were in a serious condition, he said.

Cuba has declared an official period of mourning from 6 a.m. on May 19 to 12 p.m. on May 20, during which the flag would be flown at half-mast outside state and military institutions.