MOSCOW - Forty-nine people were killed Wednesday after a plane they were in crashed and caught fire as it attempted to land in Russia`s Far North, a spokesman for the transportation ministry in Moscow told AFP.
"According to preliminary figures, 45 passengers and four crew members have been killed," the spokesman said. "We`re working on getting the exact figures."
The An-24 plane, which was reportedly carrying oil industry workers, crashed in early afternoon near the village of Varandei in the Nenetsk autonomous region, above the polar circle, news agencies reported.
A helicopter with rescue and medical personnel has taken off for the site of the accident, news agencies reported, quoting the emergencies ministry.
03/16/2005 12:52 GMT