Moment of Silence for Crash Victims

Members of the legislature rose for a moment of silence today, Oct. 14, at Province House in honour of crew members lost in the crash of a cargo plane at the Halifax International Airport.

The MK Airlines Flight 1602 crashed today at about 3:40 a.m. while attempting to take off.

Premier John Hamm, Opposition leader Darrell Dexter and interim Liberal leader Wayne Gaudet each made statements on the tragedy in the legislature today.

"While little is known about the reasons this aircraft tragically crashed, we do know that, today, seven families are grieving the loss of their loved ones," said Premier Hamm. "On behalf of the government and people of Nova Scotia, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the them as they try and come to terms with their loss."

The provincial government, led by the Emergency Measures Organization, is co-operating fully with Transport Canada, other federal authorities and the Halifax International Airport Authority in the aftermath of the tragedy.