Plane crashes in Congo killing Armenian crew, localsDecember 1, 2012 - 13:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - About 30 people, including the crew consisting of Armenian citizens, were killed when a cargo plane skidded off the runway and crashed into houses and a bar in the Congolese capital, SBC reported. The cargo plane has crashed at Brazzaville Airport, in Congo's capital, as it was trying to land in a storm, emergency services and witnesses say. Locals were killed as the aircraft skidded off the runway and crashed into houses and a bar before crashing into a ravine, said Georgelin Massemba, head of the emergency services. The crew, according to SBC, numbered three or four people. However, the spokesperson for Armenia’s General Department of Civil Aviation, Ms. Nelly Cherchinyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter that the crew consisted of 7 people, of whom 5 were Armenian citizens. The Ilyushin plane, registered with local company Aero-services, was flying in from the western port city of Pointe Noire carrying cars and other goods. A witness said the crash happened during a violent storm. Two hours after the crash, firefighters were still scouring the wreckage in search of victims. Although the plane was to carry freight, they sometimes also carry people other than the crew. Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency. Partner news | Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops. Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. |