32 killed as Russian plane crashes in Syria

International Desk: At least 32 people were killed as a Russian transport plane crashed in Syria at about 15:00 Moscow Time (12:00 GMT) on Tuesday.

The casualties include all 26 passengers and six crew members, according to the defence ministry.

The An-26 plane crashed during landing at Hmeimim airbase, near the Syrian coastal city of Latakia, the ministry is quoted as saying by Russian media.

The plane was not fired upon, Russia says, and preliminary data suggests a technical malfunction could have caused the crash.

An investigation is now under way.

On 7 January, Russian forces said they had foiled a drone attack on Hmeimim.

This was just a week after Russian warplanes were damaged at the airbase in a rebel mortar attack.

 

Source: Agencies

 

risingbd/Dhaka/March 06, 2018/A K Azad