Russian passenger jet crashes, killing170 aboard

SUKHA BALKA – Investigators yesterday combed through the wreckage of a Russian passenger jet that slammed into a Ukrainian field during a severe thunderstorm, and found body fragments from dozens of victims of the crash, which killed all 170 people aboard.

The two flight recorders from the Pulkovo Airlines’ Tu-154 were also found amid the blackened debris, Russian Emergency Situations Ministry spokeswoman Yelena Kalabushkina said. Investigators hope the recorders can explain what caused the third passenger airliner crash this year in the former Soviet Union.Emergency officials said preliminary information suggested that weather caused the crash about 45 kilometres north of the city of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine.Of the 170 people on board, 45 were children aged 12 and under, Pulkovo Airlines deputy director Anatoly Samoshin told reporters at the St.Petersburg airport.The list of passengers, many of whom were from St.Petersburg, appeared to include many families.Nampa-APInvestigators hope the recorders can explain what caused the third passenger airliner crash this year in the former Soviet Union.Emergency officials said preliminary information suggested that weather caused the crash about 45 kilometres north of the city of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine.Of the 170 people on board, 45 were children aged 12 and under, Pulkovo Airlines deputy director Anatoly Samoshin told reporters at the St.Petersburg airport.The list of passengers, many of whom were from St.Petersburg, appeared to include many families.Nampa-AP

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