Turkish Airlines Flight 6491, a cargo plane, has crashed into a residential area near the Kyrgyzstan capital of Bishkek, killing at least 20 people and injuring others, according to local authorities say.
The Boeing 747 was flying from Hong Kong to Manas International Airport, which is located just northwest of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.
As BNONews.com reports, photos and videos from the scene showed a large fire burning shortly after the crash, and subsequent images after the fire was extinguished showed that multiple buildings were completely destroyed.
At least 15 buildings were affected.
Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations said more than 20 people had been killed in the crash, though it provided no further details. The health ministry had earlier put the death toll at 16, which included 15 people on the ground, of whom 6 are children.
It was not immediately clear how many people were on board the aircraft when it went down, though a Boeing 747 cargo plane typically carries a crew of at least two people. Turkish Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for information.
RT reports that among those killed are three crew members, RIA Novosti news agency reported. One of the crew members survived the crash, the local Emergencies Ministry said, as cited by TASS.
Members of the Kyrgyzstan government, including Vice prime minister Mukhammetkaliy Abulgaziev, are at the scene, according to reports.
All flights to and from Kyrgyzstan’s Manas airport have been suspended until further notice, RIA Novosti reported, citing local sources.