updated
JeiskMilitary plane crashes into block of flats in western Russia – four dead
At least four people have been killed when a Russian warplane crashed in the Sea of Azov. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, an engine caught fire as the Su-34 aircraft took off.
A Russian military plane crashed into a block of flats in the Russian city of Yeysk near Ukraine on Monday evening.
In Russia, a military plane crashed into a block of flats and exploded.
The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed the incident.
At least four people have been killed. There have also been at least 25 injuries.
A Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter jet crashed over a residential area in the Russian city of Yeisk on Monday evening. According to preliminary information from the regional civil defense, at least four people were killed. 25 people were injured and taken to the hospital.
Pictures and videos on social media show how the crash into a block of flats creates a huge fireball and the building is then on fire. Yeisk is located in the north of Krasnodar Territory on the Russian side of the Azov Sea.
Engines are said to have caught fire during take-off
The Ministry of Defense in Moscow confirmed the crash. One of the machine’s two engines caught fire during take-off, it said. The two men from the cockpit of the fighter bomber were saved with parachutes. The ministry spoke of a training flight. President Vladimir Putin was informed and have dispatched the Ministers of Health and Emergency Services to the crash site.
Authorities said several floors of the affected nine-story building were engulfed in flames. At least 17 homes were affected. About 100 people had to leave their homes. Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said hours after the crash that the fire brigade had brought the flames under control so that no further residents had to be evacuated.
The port city of Yeisk is so close to Ukraine that airstrikes could be launched from there. Russia has repeatedly used Sukhoi Su-34 aircraft for attacks against Ukraine.
Videos show the building on fire after the explosion.
Russian news agencies reported on Monday evening, citing the Ministry of Defense in Moscow, that the Sukhoi-34 machine crashed into the courtyard of a residential complex.
Don’t miss any more news
With the daily update you stay informed about your favorite topics and don’t miss any more news about current world events.
Receive the most important information directly in your mailbox every day.
(DPA/AFP/bre)