President Hu Jintao of China on Monday sent a message of condolence to his Kyrgyzstani counterpart Kurmanbek Bakiyev over Sunday's plane crash in the country's capital of Bishkek.

In his message, Hu expressed condolences for the victims, their families and the injured on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

The plane, belonging to Kyrgyzstan's private airline Itek-Air, crashed shortly after takeoff from Bishkek airport, leaving some 70 people dead and 20 others injured.

(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2008)