A passenger jet has crashed early Monday morning in Russia’s Tyumen region, in Siberia. Unconfirmed reports say nearly all the 39 passengers and 2 crew members died.
Children have been reported among the victims.
Five people have survived the catastrophe, according to preliminary information.
However, survivors are said to have sustained serious injuries and burns. Rescuers are working at the crash site, while survivors have been taken to hospitals in Tyumen.
The Utair company airplane crashed 30 kilometers from the city of Tyumen shortly after takeoff. Connection with the plane was lost shortly after the flight was underway.
The aircraft burst into flames and broke into pieces upon impact.
Rescuers have arrived at the crash site. A criminal case has been launched into the accident.
A plane from Moscow carrying psychologists and rescuers is due to leave for Tyumen at 9:00am Moscow time.
The ATR-72 is a passenger twin-engine turboprop medium-haul airliner. The airplane is designed for the medium-distance transport of up to 74 passengers, and is steered by two pilots.
——Agencies