Fragments of crashed jet found in Black Sea, Russia says

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia’s emergency situations ministry says divers have recovered fragments of the defense ministry’s passenger jet that crashed into the Black Sea, USA Today reports.

The ministry said in a statement Monday, December 26 that divers this afternoon found several fragments of the plane one mile away from the shore and 82 feet under the sea. It says some of the debris has been recovered, and the divers are going back into the water to search for more.

All 92 people onboard the Russian military’s Tu-154 plane are believed to have died Sunday morning when the jet crashed two minutes after taking off from the southern city of Sochi en route to Syria. More than 3,500 rescue workers are involved in the operation to find the remains those on board and plane debris.

Meanwhile, Russia’s transport minister said Monday that a pilot error or a technical fault — not terrorism — is likely to be the cause of the crash, as the nation held a day of mourning for the victims.

The passengers included dozens of singers in Russia’s world-famous military choir, nine Russian journalists and Russian doctor known for her charity work in war zones.