Russian Military Plane Crash

There is No Sign of Survivors

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SOCHI, RUSSIA– Tu-154, a Russian military plane crashed early Christmas day, and all 84 passengers and eight crew members are believed dead.  According to Russian News Agency Sputnik, Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered Russian prime minister to lead the investigation of the crash. The investigation will consist of a routine criminal investigation examining a potential “violation of rules of flight safety or preparation.”

The passengers, including dozens of singers in Russia’s world-famous military choir, were headed to Syria when the Tu-154 plane crashed two minutes after taking off from the southern city of Sochi. The choir was to perform a New Year’s concert.

Russia’s Defense Ministry says more than 3,000 rescue workers on 32 ships are searching the crash site at sea and along the shore. Russian officials say the focus is on human error or a technical fault.

President Vladimir Putin has called for a day of mourning.