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Russian military plane crashes in Black Sea near Sochi
Russian military plane crashes in Black Sea near Sochi
BBC NEWS From the section Europe
December 25, 2016
A Russian military plane with 92 people on board has crashed into the Black Sea, Russia's defense ministry says. The plane disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off from the resort of Sochi at 05:25 (02:25 GMT). Fuselage fragments have now been found and one body has been retrieved.
The defense ministry said the Tu-154 was carrying soldiers, 64 members of the famed Alexandrov military music ensemble, and nine reporters.
It was flying to Latakia in Syria.
The flight originated in Moscow and had landed at Adler airport in Sochi for refueling
.
The defense ministry said in a statement: "Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defense ministry were found 1.5km (one mile) from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70m (165-230ft)." So far no survivors have been found.
Who are the Alexandrov Ensemble?
Alexandrov Ensemble is the official choir of the Russian armed forces. It was founded in 1928 during the Soviet era. The group also includes an orchestra and dancers.
It takes its name from its first director, Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov, who wrote the music to the national anthem of the Soviet Union. Holds the right to use the term Red Army Choir, although the interior ministry's MVD Ensemble also uses it
The defense ministry has published a passenger list (in Russian), showing that
64 of those on board were from the Alexandrov Ensemble, including its director,
Valery Khalilov.
There were nine journalists, eight soldiers, two civil servants and eight crew members. Also on board was Elizaveta Glinka, known as Dr Liza, the executive director of the Fair Aid charity and the inaugural winner of Russia's state prize for achievements in human rights.
Reports from the area said flying conditions were favorable. An investigation into possible violations of safety regulations has been launched.
Mr Konashenkov said the plane was carrying passengers to a New Year's performance for Russian troops deployed in Syria. 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.
Tupolev-154: Russian workhorse
The backbone of Soviet and Russian airlines for decades
Three engines, narrow-bodied and medium range
Designed in the mid-60s, came into service in 1972 and was modernized in 1986 with new engines and equipment
Has seen 39 fatal accidents, although few were due to technical problems. Many were as a result of difficult weather conditions and poor air traffic control. A few were lost in conflicts including in Lebanon, Georgia and Afghanistan
Phased out since the turn of the century. Aeroflot retired its fleet in 2010. Only about 50 in service worldwide
In April 2010, a Tu-154 plane crashed in Smolensk, western Russia, killing all 96 people on board, including Polish President Lech Kaczynski.
A Tu-154, operated by Siberian Airlines, was shot down over the Black Sea in October 2001, killing 78 people.
The plane was traveling 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.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38430164
