Russian Military Plane With 91 On Board Crashes In Black Sea
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A Russian military plane with 91 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) and 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.
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The plane was flying to Syria’s Latakia province.
It 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 from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres.”
Reports in the area said conditions for flying were favourable.
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Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said the plane was carrying passengers to a New Year’s performance for Russian troops deployed in Syria. (BBC)
