New York, December 6, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists is shocked and saddened by the crash today of an Iranian military plane that claimed the lives of more than 100 people, mostly journalists.

An Iranian C-130 military transport plane crashed into a Tehran apartment building, killing its 10 person crew and all 84 passengers, who were mostly Iranian radio and television journalists, according to international press accounts. The journalists were en route to southern city of Bandar Abbas to cover military exercises. Another 34 people were killed on the ground, when the military plane went down after experiencing engine trouble.

"We are deeply saddened by this horrible tragedy. Our deepest sympathies go out the victims' family and friends," said CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper.