A cargo jet crashed in a residential area near Kyrgyzstan's Manas airport on Monday, killing at least 16 people, according to the Kyrgyz government.

The body of one pilot has been recovered while 15 local people were killed when the Boeing 747 crashed on their homes, the healthcare ministry has claimed.

Earlier reports claimed that it was a Turkish Airlines cargo plane. However, Turkish Airlines denied this and a statement said the cargo flight with TC-MCL registration number, operated by ACT Airlines, departed from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Bishkek Manas International Airport (FRU) had an accident near Bishkek at around 01:40 UTC.

Neither the aircraft nor the crew are members of Turkish Airlines, it said.

Rescuers and firefighter, as well as Vice Prime Minister Mukhammetkaliy Abulgaziev, are at the scene, said the Kyrgyz government. - TradeArabia News Service