CRIMEA: A Russian military transport aircraft crashed in Crimea, killing all 29 people on board in what authorities believe was a technical failure, Russia’s defence ministry said early on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
The An-26 aircraft lost communication at approximately 6:00 p.m. local time while conducting a scheduled flight over the Crimean Peninsula. The aircraft was later found to have crashed into a cliff in the region, which is known for its rugged mountainous terrain along the Black Sea coastline.
Search and rescue teams were quickly deployed and successfully located the crash site. Officials confirmed that all six crew members and 23 passengers aboard the aircraft died in the incident, with no survivors reported.
Preliminary findings suggest that the crash was caused by a mechanical malfunction. The defense ministry stated that there was no evidence indicating external interference, such as a missile strike, drone activity, or bird collision. A military investigation team has been dispatched to the site to determine the exact cause of the failure.
The An-26 is a long-serving light transport aircraft that has been in operation since the late 1960s. Widely used for both military and civilian purposes, it is capable of carrying cargo as well as dozens of passengers over short to medium distances.
Despite its long service history, the aircraft model has been involved in several fatal accidents in recent years. Past incidents include crashes during training and technical flights in Ukraine, as well as accidents in Africa that resulted in multiple fatalities.
The latest tragedy adds to growing concerns over aging aircraft fleets and operational safety, as investigations continue to uncover the circumstances surrounding the crash.
