Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has conveyed his condolences to those affected by the crash of a jetliner minutes after taking off from Indonesia's capital, killing a large number of people. 

In a message of condolences sent to the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo, Emomali Rahmon expressed condolences to the friendly people of Indonesia and asked to convey his deep condolences to relatives and family members of those died, according to the Tajik president’s official website.

Lion Air flight JT610 with 189 people onboard travelling from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang on the island of Bangka yesterday morning, lost contact with air traffic control about 13 minutes after it took off, shortly after its pilot had asked to return to base.  Flight data showed that it made a sudden, sharp dive into the sea.

The plane was a Boeing 737 Max 8 jet, a new model that was launched globally only last year.  The specific plane had been in use for less than three months.

Officials said they did not expect to find survivors.