Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a news conference after meeting with his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev (not in the picture) in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, on Feb. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Roman Gainanov)

MOSCOW, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed condolences to his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev on the tragic consequences of a landslide in the country, the Kremlin said on Saturday.

"The head of the Russian Federation stressed that Russian people share the pain and grief of those who had lost their loved ones as a result of this disaster," the Kremlin said in a statement.

The Russian people also hoped for a speedy recovery of all the victims, it added.

The powerful landslide has claimed 24 lives after it hit a village in south Kyrgyzstan early Saturday, according to Kyrgyzstan's Emergencies Ministry.

The landslide struck the village of Ayu in the Osh region of the mountainous country, swallowing seven houses in the village and burying more than 20 people in six of the seven houses.

Kyrgyz President Atambayev declared Sunday a national day of mourning.