TU-134 crashes in Russia killing 44
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
21.06.2011 09:42
Forty four people died when a Tupolev 134 plane crashed late last night in northwest Russia, just 1km from Petrozavodsk airport in the republic of Karelia.
The TU-134 plane – from the same manufacturer of the craft that crashed in Smolensk last April killing 96 on board including President Lech Kaczynski (TU-154) – burst into flames on landing. Witnesses have reported seeing bodies strewn over a an area around the crash site.
Eight people survived the crash, including a 10-year-old boy and a girl thought to be his sister.
"Health Ministry doctors have completed their examination of the victims. According to preliminary information, six people will be transported to Moscow for further treatment," a spokeswoman from Russia’s Health Ministry told RIA Novosti.
The plane, flying from Moscow to Petrozavodsk, crashed around 23.40 local time on Monday (21 40 Polish time). Witnesses say weather conditions at the time of the disaster were “poor” including heavy fog.
The plane, with a capacity to carry 76 passengers, was part of RusAir charter company’s eight-strong fleet, which includes Tupolevs and Yaks.
The TU-134 is the most widely used aircraft for charter flights in Russia. (pg)