BEIJING, Feb. 14 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping offered condolences Friday to his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika over a tragic military plane crash, which claimed 77 lives.

In his message, Xi extended heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolences to the victims and the bereaved families.

A C-130 Hercules military plane carrying 78 people crashed into a mountain in the eastern Algerian province of Oum El Bouaghi on Tuesday, leaving only one survivor, according to the Algerian defense ministry.