Russia plane crash kills at least 44

Aeroplane crashed half a mile from the runway on flight between Moscow and northern city of Petrozavodsk At least forty-four people have been killed after a passenger jet crashed in north-west Russia, a government spokesman said. The plane, reportedly carrying 52 people, including nine crew, crashed half a mile from the runway outside the northern city of Petrozavodsk at about 11.40pm local time on Monday. News agencies reported that eight people who survived the crash were seriously injured and taken to hospital. There was no immediate explanation for the crash, but the Interfax news agency quoted the airport director Alexei Kuzmitsky as saying there were “unfavourable weather conditions”. Russian news agencies said the plane, a Russian-made Tu-134 jet, crashed on its final approach to the airport in Petrozavodsk, landing a few hundred yards short of the runway. Petrozavodsk is in the in the province of Karelia, 640km (400 miles) north-west of Moscow. The plane, , the Emergencies Ministry said, carrying 52 people, nine of whom were crew, the news agencies said. News agencies reported that Russian Premier League football referee Vladimir Pettaya was among the victims, as well as one Swedish national. Russia Europe Plane crashes Jo Adetunji guardian.co.uk

Posted by on June 20, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.