BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao of China sent a message to Spanish King Juan Carlos on Thursday to mourn those killed in Wednesday's deadly plane crash in Madrid, a Chinese Foreign Ministry press release said.

In the message, Hu expressed his condolences to the victims and their families on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also sent a message of condolence to his Spanish counterpart Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

At least 153 people died Wednesday after a Spanair MD-82 crashed on takeoff and burst into flames at Madrid's Barajas airport at 2:45 p.m. local time (1245 GMT).

A fire helicopter tries to put out fire as a Spanish plane catches fire at Madrid's Barajas airport, Aug. 20, 2008. The Spanair MD-80 jet plane with some 160 people onboard veered off the runway and caught fire while taking off here Wednesday, killing 147 people, injuring over 20, according to the rescuer. (Xinhua Photo)