BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday extended condolences to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, over the death of several dozens of people in an air crash in southern Russia earlier in the day.

In a message, Wang expressed deep condolences over the death of all those on board the ill-fated passenger plane which crashed in Rostov-on-Don, the largest city in southern Russia.

Wang also expressed sincere sympathy to next-of-kin of those who lost life in the air tragedy.

Early Saturday, a Boeing 737-800 passenger plane of the Dubai Aviation Corporation, en route from Dubai of the United Arab Emirates to Rostov-on-Don, crashed at the Russian city's airport, killing all 55 passengers and seven crew.