Ahmed bin Saeed leads investigating team

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, has said he is at the Flydubai operations room to lead the crisis-management and information-gathering team assigned for the crash of Flydubai's flight FZ981, which took place at Rostov-on-Don airport, Russia, earlier today.

He said that Dubai Government will spare no effort to provide the families of the victims of the crash with all forms of support. We have taken all necessary measures in accordance with the crisis response mechanism.

Saif Mohamad Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority, said the UAE Embassy in Russia has opened an office to follow the developments of the plane crash, provide support for the families of the victims and respond to all enquiries.

He said Flydubai has a modern fleet of aircrafts and professional crews.

Al Suwaidi said, "The accident was likely caused by poor weather, but we are not confirming. We are moving based on facts."

EARLIER REPORTS

Ahmed bin Saeed, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Department, is at the Flydubai operations room leading the crisis management process, tweeted Dubai Media Office.

“We will ensure that the families of the victims are provided with all forms of support. We have taken all necessary measures in accordance with the crisis response mechanism,” he said.

Meanwhile, an earlier DMO tweet says, “UAE offers its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the Russian government and people for the tragic accident of Flydubai.

“Nationalities of victims from the passengers of Flydubai plane in Russia include: 44 Russians, 8 from Ukraine, 2 from India, 1 from Uzbekistan.”

Dubai Airports, Emirates Airlines condole

Following the crash of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Rostov-on-Don in southwestern Russia early Saturday morning, Dubai Airports tweeted: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and crew of #flydubai flight 981 in Rostov-on-Don and their families.

Emirates Airlines tweeted: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by FZ981 accident. We are offering every assistance to our counterparts at flydubai."

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