(Seychelles News Agency) - The president of Seychelles, Danny Faure, has expressed his deepest condolences to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, following a tragic aircraft disaster on Sunday, a press release from State House said on Tuesday.

In his message, Faure said, “The thoughts and prayers of the people of Seychelles are with the families who have lost their loved ones.”

“We wish to extend a message of hope to all who have been affected by this terrible tragedy and wish them courage and fortitude in this difficult time of mourning. The people of Seychelles stand in solidarity with you during this time,” added the head of state of Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean.

According to the Russian Tass news agency, on February 11, an An-148 passenger aircraft, operated by Saratov Airlines, which was en route to the town of Orsk, crashed several minutes after taking off from Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport, killing all the 71 people aboard.