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Russian military plane crashes in Black Sea near Sochi | Russian military plane crashes in Black Sea near Sochi |
(35 minutes later) | |
A Russian military plane with 92 people on board has crashed into the Black Sea, Russia's defence ministry says. | |
The plane disappeared from radar 20 minutes after taking off from the resort of Sochi at 05:20 (02:20 GMT). Fragments have now been found. | |
The defence ministry said the Tu-154 was carrying service personnel, members of the famed Alexandrov military band, and reporters. | |
The plane was flying to the Syrian province of Latakia. | |
The flight originated in Moscow and had landed at Adler airport in Sochi for refuelling. | |
The defence ministry said in a statement: "Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5km (one mile) from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres." | |
So far no survivors have been found, local rescuers told the Interfax news agency. | |
Most of the passengers were Alexandrov Ensemble members, reports said, along with nine journalists and eight crew members. | |
Reports in the area said flying conditions were favourable. An investigation has been launched to determine whether any violations of air transport safety regulations had taken place. | |
Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said the plane was carrying passengers to a New Year's performance for Russian troops deployed in Syria. | Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said the plane was carrying passengers to a New Year's performance for Russian troops deployed in Syria. |
Who are the Alexandrov Ensemble? | Who are the Alexandrov Ensemble? |
The performance was scheduled to take place at Russia's Hmeimim air base, near Latakia. | The performance was scheduled to take place at Russia's Hmeimim air base, near Latakia. |
Russia has been carrying out air strikes in support of Syrian government forces who are battling rebels opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. | Russia has been carrying out air strikes in support of Syrian government forces who are battling rebels opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. |
The Tu-154 has been involved in dozens of fatal incidents since it was designed in the mid-1960s. It was the workhorse of Soviet and Russian airlines for decades, but only about 50 aircraft are now in service worldwide. | |
In April 2010, a Tu-154 plane crashed in Smolensk, western Russia, killing all 96 people on board, including the Polish President Lech Kaczynski. | In April 2010, a Tu-154 plane crashed in Smolensk, western Russia, killing all 96 people on board, including the Polish President Lech Kaczynski. |
A Tu-154, operated by Siberian Airlines, was shot down over the Black Sea in October 2001, killing 78 people. | A Tu-154, operated by Siberian Airlines, was shot down over the Black Sea in October 2001, killing 78 people. |
The plane was travelling from Tel Aviv in Israel to Novosibirsk in Russia, and most of the passengers were Israeli. | The plane was travelling from Tel Aviv in Israel to Novosibirsk in Russia, and most of the passengers were Israeli. |
The Ukrainian military initially denied involvement but officials later admitted the plane could have been hit accidentally during a training exercise. | The Ukrainian military initially denied involvement but officials later admitted the plane could have been hit accidentally during a training exercise. |