A Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation airplane has crashed with nearly 40 people on board near Yakutsk, the capital of the Sakha Republic in Siberia, due to either pilot error or strong winds.
The Il-18 had at least 38 people on board at the time of the crash in Russia's far east, and it is as yet unclear if any fatalities occurred. Although initial reports in state media cited ministry of defense representatives estimating that the majority of those on board had perished, this was later refuted as 38 people were rushed from the wreckage to hospital by Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Four people are said to be in a critical condition, while the rest are injured. According to state news agency RIA Novosti, harsh winds may have hindered the pilot as weather conditions were difficult in the region before the crash.
Regional hospital chief Alla Andreevna said all patients are transportable but have been sent to different wards. "Some have fractures, some are concussed," she told RIA Novosti. A full report is expected later in the day, while an investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
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