The rescue teams are searching for victims using ships, helicopters and drones following the Russian plane carrying 92 people to Syria crashed into the Black Sea soon after the takeoff. Investigators are looking into every possible cause for the crash, including a terror attack.
All 84 passengers and eight crew members are said to have died after the plane crashed minutes after taking off in a good weather from the southern Russian city of Sochi. The passengers on the Russian military’s Tu-154 plane included dozens of singers in Russia’s world-famous military choir.
Russia is also observing a national day of mourning on December 26 for large numbers of people being killed in the crash. Authorities revealed that many key members of Russia’s official armed forces musical ensemble were among the dead.
Over 3,000 rescue workers on 32 ships flown in from across Russia were searching crash spot at sea and along the shore, said the Defense Ministry. Along with helicopters, drones, submersibles are also being used to help trace bodies and debris.
The military plane disappeared from radar minutes after taking off from Sochi’s Adler airport at 7:50 am IST. “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,” defence ministry said in a statement.
Post the incident debris and several bodies have been found, with no reports of survivors. The plane on its way to Latakia in Syria was carrying 92 people, including service personnel, a military music band and journalists.
Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said soldiers, members of the famed Alexandrov Ensemble band and nine reporters were on board the plane. The crews were flying to take part in a New Year performance for Russian troops deployed in Syria, reported BBC.
The performance was scheduled to take place at Russia’s Hmeimim air base, near Latakia.
Search and rescue services of aviation units of the Southern Military District in Krasnodar and neighbouring regions are engaged in the search for the aircraft.
Russia, a key ally of Bashar al-Assad-has had been carrying out air strikes against Syrian rebels.
