BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AP) -- A passenger jet carrying 90 people, including a Kyrgyz high school basketball team, crashed shortly after takeoff Sunday near Kyrgyzstan's capital, killing at least 65, government officials said. The Boeing 737 crashed near the Bishkek airport in Kyrgyzstan on Sunday. Several government officials said the plane belonged to Itek Air, a Kyrgyz company, but was operated by Iran Aseman Airlines. But Mamytov, the presidential adviser, said the plane was both owned and operated by Itek Air. Itek Air has been banned from operating in the airspace of the European Union because of failure to meet safety and aviation standards, according to a list published by the EU July 24.
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