A passenger plane has crashed near the central Russian city of Perm, killing all 88 people on board, officials say.
A passenger plane has crashed near the central Russian city of Perm, killing all 88 people on board, officials say.
The Boeing-737, belonging to a branch of the national airline Aeroflot, was on a flight from Moscow.
The Boeing-737, belonging to a branch of the national airline Aeroflot, was on a flight from Moscow.
At least 21 foreign passengers were on board. An investigation into the cause of the crash is under way.
At least 21 foreign passengers were on board. An investigation into the cause of the crash is under way.
Radio contact with the plane was lost as it was landing. The wreckage was later found outside Perm, which is located near the Ural mountains.
Radio contact with the plane was lost as it was landing. The wreckage was later found outside Perm, which is located near the Ural mountains.
"The Boeing-737 carried 82 passengers on board, including seven children, and six crew... All passengers were killed," Aeroflot said in a statement quoted by AFP news agency.
"The Boeing-737 carried 82 passengers on board, including seven children, and six crew... All passengers were killed," Aeroflot said in a statement quoted by AFP news agency.
"As the plane was coming in for landing, it lost communication at the height of 1,100 metres and air controllers lost its blip. The airplane was found within Perm's city limits completely destroyed and on fire."
"As the plane was coming in for landing, it lost communication at the height of 1,100 metres and air controllers lost its blip. The airplane was found within Perm's city limits completely destroyed and on fire."
Smouldering wreckage
Smouldering wreckage
Russian officials say passengers included nationals from Azerbaijan, Ukraine, France, Switzerland, Latvia, the United States, Germany, Turkey and Italy.
Russian officials say passengers included nationals from Azerbaijan, Ukraine, France, Switzerland, Latvia, the United States, Germany, Turkey and Italy.
Earlier, crash investigator Vladimir Markin told Russia's Ria-Novosti news agency that the plane "fell into a ravine near the city limits".
Earlier, crash investigator Vladimir Markin told Russia's Ria-Novosti news agency that the plane "fell into a ravine near the city limits".
Emergency Ministry spokeswoman Irina Andrianova said contact with the plane was lost at 0321 Moscow time (1121 GMT).
Emergency Ministry spokeswoman Irina Andrianova said contact with the plane was lost at 0321 Moscow time (2321 GMT).
Television pictures from the site - some 1,200km (750 miles) east of Moscow - showed firefighters walking through smouldering wreckage.
Television pictures from the site - some 1,200km (750 miles) east of Moscow - showed firefighters walking through smouldering wreckage.
The plane burned on the ground for some two hours before fire crews extinguished the blaze.
The plane burned on the ground for some two hours before fire crews extinguished the blaze.
There were no casualties on the ground, officials say.
There were no casualties on the ground, officials say.
Officials say there is no indication of a terrorist attack.
Officials say there is no indication of a terrorist attack.
The plane belonged to Aeroflot-Nord - Aeroflot's regional airline.
The plane belonged to Aeroflot-Nord - Aeroflot's regional airline.
A crisis centre had been set up for the victims' relatives, Aeroflot said.
A crisis centre had been set up for the victims' relatives, Aeroflot said.
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