Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov: it is premature to talk about the reasons for the Tu-154 crash

The Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation Maxim Sokolov, who heads the government commission created in connection with the crash of the Tu-154 in the Black Sea, called it premature to talk about the causes of the disaster.

“Versions are being considered through the Investigative Committee. Of course, the whole spectrum and any possible causes that could lead to a disaster are being worked out, but it’s premature to talk about it now, ”Sokolov said in response to a question whether the version of the attack is being considered.

Sokolov also said that the "black boxes" of the Tu-154 were not equipped with radio beacons, so their search will continue "at the bottom among those fragments of the aircraft."

The Minister also said that during the search "none of the survivors could not be found."

As the minister stressed, "despite the end of daylight hours, the search does not stop, they will continue tomorrow and will be continued if necessary in the future." “We will try to do everything so that all the dead are found, although the tragedy occurred at sea and this complicates the work,” the head of the Ministry of Transport said.

Russia 24

• The Tu-154 aircraft of the Russian Defense Ministry crashed in the Black Sea on the morning of December 25. Communication with the aircraft was lost two minutes after takeoff. There were 92 people on board, none of them survived.
• Tu-154 was flying to Syria. Most of the passengers were artists of the Alexandrov Ensemble, who were supposed to give a concert in honor of the New Year for the Russian military. On board were also the head of the Fair Aid Foundation, Elizaveta Glinka, known as Dr. Lisa, and nine employees of federal television channels.
• The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation opened a criminal case under the article “violation of flight rules that entailed grave consequences” (Article 351 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).