crash in russia kills 92--inclduing the red army choir

[niyad]

Singers in Russian Military Choir Among 92 Feared Dead After Plane Crashes Into Black Sea



Shortly after takeoff on Sunday morning, a Russian military plane carrying 92 people crashed into the Black Sea near Sochi. By REUTERS. Photo by Yevgeny Reutov/European Pressphoto Agency. Watch in Times Video »

http://nyti.ms/2itGUjo

SOCHI, Russia — A Russian aircraft bound for Syria carrying a famed military band to entertain Russia’s forces there crashed into the Black Sea moments after takeoff on Sunday, and the authorities said all 92 people aboard were believed dead. The cause of the crash is under investigation, although initial Russian news media reports indicated it was a technical failure rather than terrorism.

The Russian military has had only minor casualties throughout its deployment in Syria, but the country has experienced a series of setbacks in recent days. On Monday, the Russian ambassador to Turkey was assassinated at an art exhibit in Ankara, with the killer yelling, “Don’t forget Aleppo, don’t forget Syria!”



That came not long after forces from the Islamic State recaptured the storied Syrian city of Palmyra, forcing the Russian garrison that had been stationed there since helping to take the city last spring to flee.




The military plane, a Russian-made Tupolev Tu-154, disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off from the resort town of Sochi. Russia’s official weather forecast agency said that conditions near the airport were “normal, easy,” the Interfax news agency reported. The airplane was technically fit, the Defense Ministry said. Wreckage of the plane, which was carrying 84 passengers and eight crew members, was found in the sea, most of it about one mile from shore, the Russian Defense Ministry said. No survivors have been found at the crash site, Russian officials said.

. . .

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/25/world/europe/russian-military-plane-crash-alexandrov-ensemble.html

[uppityperson]

1. Is this the one from last Sunday or another one?

[niyad]

2. same one. I just learned of it, and did not recall seeing anything about it until tonight.

[uppityperson]

6. It's quite sad, but I have to say I'm relieved it's not a second plane

[niyad]

7. I had been thinking just a bit ago that at least I had not heard of any new tragedies

today--and then learned of this one from sunday.

damn this year.

[pangaia]

3. Thanks for the reminder.

This happened 4 days ago and there were several posts on it.
It was a great loss to not only their families but the Russian people and world culture.


While I didn't know anyone on this flight, I have Russian friends who did know people who died-- I saw/heard the Alexandrov Ensemble many years ago in Leningrad- 1985.

[niyad]

5. I missed them, just found out about this. you are correct, a great loss to world culture.

[Ilsa]

4. Very sad. I hate to hear of

Musicians and singers losing their lives like this.