MOSCOW, Feb 11: Russia’s Emergencies Ministry says a passenger plane has crashed near Moscow and fragments of it have been found.

The An-148 regional jet disappeared from radar screens shortly after takeoff from Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport on Sunday afternoon. News reports said 71 people — 65 passengers and six crew — were aboard the plane heading for the city of Orsk, about 1,500 kilometers southeast of Moscow.

The local news agency says the plane fragments were found in the Ramenskoye area about 40 kilometers from the airport.

Russian media said the jet belonged to Saratov Airlines.

 
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