At least 30 killed in Turkish Airlines crash in Kyrgyzstan

DACHA-SUU, Kyrgyzstan, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- At least 30 people were killed early Monday morning when a Turkish cargo plane crashed into a village in Kyrgyzstan after leaving Hong Kong.

Officials are blaming poor visibility for the crash a Boeing 747 around 7:30 a.m. as it landed in the village of Dacha-Suu, not far from Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek.

"Our condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the tragic incident involving an ACT Airlines aircraft in Kyrgyzstan," Turkish Airlines officials tweeted after the crash had been confirmed.

The flight was to stop at Manas International Airport in Dacha-Suu on its way from Hong Kong to Istanbul when the crash occurred. Although no cause has been determined for sure, airline officials suggest thick fog and poor visibility may have contributed to the crash.

The 14-year-old plane reportedly took out 12 to 15 homes and several buildings, drawing 14 ambulance crews and dozens of doctors and psychologists to the crash scene.

"We're aware of the report and monitoring the situation," Marc Birtel, a Boeing spokesman, told CNN.