Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan has expressed condolence to Iran over death of 64 passengers on board and four crew members who lost lives in crash of flight 3704 of Aseman Airlines in Kohangan village, 120 kilometers from Semirom town of Isfahan province on Sunday.
Aircraft ATR 72-212 of Iran Aseman (Sky) Airlines crashed in mountainous area of Yasuj. The apparent reason of crash is bad weather confronted by plane during landing process.
Reports coming from Kohangan village said that there was heavy snowfall when plane crashed and now there is heavy rainfall therefore rescue operation is not possible right now.
Iranian government has established a Parliamentary Committee to investigate the plane crash to investigate the causes of the crash of Aseman Airlines passenger plane. A team of 70 specialized mountain climbers are dispatched to carry on the search operations, reports IRNA news agency.
According to Flightradar24, flight 3704 took off at 04:33 UTC. Last signal was received at 05:55 UTC when flight was at 16,975 feet and descending.
Flight 3704 of Aseman Airlines Aircraft had its first flight on October 26, 1993 and it was 24 years 4 months old aircraft having no history of technical failure.
Iran Aseman Airlines flight #EP3704 (Tehran-Yasuj) has crashed.
The aircraft involved is a 24 year old ATR 72. Registration EP-ATS. MSN 391.
According to our logs flight took off at 04:33 UTC. Last signal was received at 05:55 UTC when flight was at 16,975 feet and descending. pic.twitter.com/bn2AZ9gq7d
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 18, 2018
Flight 3704 66 persons on board lost its contact with control tower and disappeared from radar when it was flying 22 km North of Yasuj Airport of Isfahan province of Iran.
Saddened by the news of an Iranian plane crash and loss of precious lives in it. I extend my sympathies and condolences to the leadership and brotherly people of Iran. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families at this difficult hour.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 18, 2018
Flight 3704 departed from Mehrabad Airport of Tehran for Yasuj Airport in Isfahan province.
According to Iranian news agencies, aircraft was into Mount Dena, South of Isfahan. It may be mentioned that Mount Dena is an 80 km mountain range with a highest elevation of 4,409 m (14,465 ft). It is located North of Yasuj. Weather conditions at the crash site include snow and strong winds, hampering search and rescue services.
“Rescue operation has been halted due to bad weather to recover dead bodies of Flight EP 3704”, reported Iran radio.
In a condolence message to President of Iran Hassan Rouhani, President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that Pakistan stand with families who lost their lives in plane crash.
“We were deeply saddened to hear news of the Aseman Airlines crash. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and all those affected by this tragedy”, stated President Mamoon in his condolence message.
Former President Asif Ali Zardari and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also sent a condolence messages to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Chief of Pakistan Army Gen. Bajwa also epressed condolence with Iranian government.
COAS condoles loss of precious lives in tragic Iranian plane crash. Shares grief of bereaved families and brotherly Iranian nation.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 18, 2018
