Guyana sends message of condolence to Cuba after deadly plane crash

The Government of Guyana, on behalf of its citizens, has sent its sincerest condolences to the Government and people of Cuba on account of the recent tragic Cuban airline accident that claimed the lives of over 100 passengers and crew members.
This tragedy, which occurred on Friday, May 18, has definitely left the Government and people of Guyana distraught.
“All Guyanese share the loss and grief of the Cuban people and relatives of the victims who perished in this tragedy”, a release from the Department of Information stated.
The message continued, “We extend deep condolences to the Government and people of Cuba as they observe two days of official mourning in our sister Caribbean state”.
Guyana and Cuba have, over the years, shared a strong and unbreakable bond of friendship, brotherhood and solidarity. In recent years, (their) citizens have been forging ever closer ties through education, diplomacy, medicine and trade.
“Even as this loss affects us deeply, we are confident that the Cuban people and nation will rise and recover from this unspeakably devastating accident. Such has been the demonstrable fortitude of Cuba and Cubans for decades”, the release added.
And as Cuba began two days of national mourning for victims of the crash, the Guyana Cuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM) mourns, and expresses sympathies with families in this moment of pain.
This sentiment was shared by GCSM President, Halim Khan, who said the airplane, which was being operated on behalf of state carrier Cubana, was on a flight from Havana to the eastern Cuban city of Holguin.
“They have all our support and solidarity for the families of those who died, and best wishes for the recovery of those who were injured.” Khan said, while noting that the cause of the accident remains unclear.
“The mourning period is to last from dawn on Saturday to midnight on Sunday, the Communist Party leader and former president, Raul Castro, said. Flags are to be flown at half-mast throughout the country”, a release from GCSM stated.
More than 100 people died after a Boeing 737 airliner crashed near Cuba’s main airport in Havana on Friday last, and this crash has been described as the country’s worst air disaster in decades.
Three women pulled alive from the wreckage are said to be in critical condition. The BBC had reported that the aircraft, which was nearly 40 years old, was carrying 105 passengers and six crew members.
The Boeing 737-201 crashed at 12:08h on Friday, shortly after taking off from Havana on an internal flight to Holguin on the east of the island. All six crew members on board were Mexican, and most of the passengers were Cuban, with five foreigners reported to be among them.