Text Only
Search

 
Russia to Mark National Day of Mourning for Air Crash Victims


09 July 2006

The wreckage of an Airbus A-310 plane sits smoldering after crashing in the Siberian city of Irkutsk, Russia, early Sunday July 9, 2006
The wreckage of an Airbus A-310 plane sits smoldering after crashing in the Siberian city of Irkutsk, Russia, early Sunday July 9, 2006
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared Monday a day of national mourning for the more than 120 people killed when a Russian plane crashed in the Siberian city of Irkutsk.  More than 60 people survived the fiery crash.

Russian Presidential envoy Anatoly Kvashnin says Sunday's air crash was a horrible tragedy, and that the top priority now is to help save the dozens of people who were badly burned and injured.

The Russian passenger plane, operated by Sibir airlines, skidded off a wet runway in the city of Irkutsk as it was landing and burst into flames.  The Airbus A-310 was  carrying more than 200 people, including several children on their way to a summer camp holiday.

Kvashnin, the presidential envoy, says investigators believe mechanical error is the most likely cause of the crash, but human error has not been ruled out.

Transport Minister Igor Levitin says the wet runway may have played a part. 

Upon reaching the end of the runway, the plane reportedly careened into a concrete barrier, bursting into flames.  It then continued to travel through a nearby one-story car garage, before stopping in close proximity to neighboring houses.

Firefighters battled smoke and flames for well over two hours before securing the site for search and rescue.

Russian television broadcast images of worried loved ones returning to Moscow's Domodedovo airport, from which the flight originated.  There, officials set up an emergency command center to provide information and comfort to family members.

Both of the plane's black boxes have been recovered and handed over to regional prosecutors, who will study them for further clues into the cause of the crash.

Flags will be flown at half-staff Monday, and all televised entertainment programs have been canceled.

Two months ago, another air crash involving an Airbus plane killed 113 people in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. 

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
At least 120 Killed in Russian Airliner Crash in Siberia
 
  Top Story
Berlin Marks 20th Anniversary of Wall's Fall  Audio Clip Available

  More Stories
Hariri Names New Lebanese Government After Five Week Vacuum
Clinton Urges 'Compassion' for Americans Detained in Iran  Audio Clip Available
Iran Charges 3 US Detainees with Espionage
Iraq Electoral Official Says Vote Will Happen On Time   Audio Clip Available
US, Germany Press Afghan President on Reform  Audio Clip Available
Afghans React To Possible US Troop Surge  Audio Clip Available
Suicide Bomber Kills 3 in Northwestern Pakistan
China Executes Nine Ethnic Uighurs in July Unrest
APEC Economies Report Improved Trade Finance, Discuss Free Trade  Audio Clip Available
Scientists Report Abnormal Sea Level Rises Off Western Australia  Audio Clip Available
Hurricane Ida Heads Toward Gulf of Mexico, Floods Kill 91 in El Salvador
Sri Lanka to Boost Investment in Tamil Provinces Devastated by Civil War  Audio Clip Available
Obama Makes First China Tour as Economic Interdependence Grows  Video clip available
Clinton Urges Europeans to Bring Down "Walls" of Terrorism, Oppression  Audio Clip Available