Havana, November 3 (RHC)-- Cuban President Raul Castro sent his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin a message of condolences for the loss of Russian lives in the crash of the Airbus 321 in the Sinai Peninsula on October 31st.

The plane departed from the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheij bound for Saint Petersburg with 224 people onboard. There were no survivors in Saturday's accident.

The Cuban president asked Putin to pass on his condolences as well to the relatives of the victims of the accident.

In related news, a book of condolences was opened at the Russian Embassy in Havana on Monday. Cuban government officials and the public in general can go to the embassy and express their condolences for the tragic loss of life.