`Pilot error or technical fault might crash Russian plane`

Risingbd Desk: Pilot error or a technical fault was probably to blame for yesterday`s Black Sea plane crash that killed 92 people, Russia`s transport minister has said.

The military plane crashed on its way from the southern city of Sochi to Syria.

Among its passengers were members of the world-famous Russian army choir who planned to perform at a New Year`s concert at the Russian military base in Syria.

Transport minister Maxim Sokolov said in televised remarks that investigators are looking into a possible pilot error or a technical fault and that a terrorist attack was not among the main theories.

Rescue teams are continuing to search for victims.

The Russian Tu-154 was carrying 84 passengers and eight crew members. Emergency crews found fragments of the plane about a mile from shore. By last night rescue teams had recovered 11 bodies.

More than 3,000 rescue workers on 32 ships - including over 100 divers flown in from across Russia - were searching the crash site at sea and along the shore, the Defence Ministry said.

Along with the choir, those on board included nine Russian journalists and a Russian doctor famous for her work in war zones and helping homeless people.

Mr Sokolov said the government saw no need to heighten security measures at Russian airports.

A plane with bodies from the crash has landed in Moscow where the remains will be identified, he added.

Today has been declared a day of mourning in Russia.

Source: Agencies

risingbd/DHAKA/Dec 26, 2016/Amirul