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More Than 40 People Dead After Plane Slams Into Moscow Runway

More Than 40 People Dead After Plane Slams Into Moscow Runway

The plane reportedly caught fire mid-flight, resulting in the pilots having to force the Russian Aeroflot to land.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

More than 40 people have been killed after a plane made an emergency landing in Moscow, Russia and slammed into the runway.

The plane reportedly caught fire mid-flight, resulting in the pilots having to force the Russian Aeroflot to land.

Thirty-seven people escaped with their lives, however shocking footage has emerged of these people leaving the plane with their luggage.

PA

According to news.com.au, an airport official told local media: "Many passengers delayed emergency evacuation - because against all instructions - they were picking up hand luggage from overhead compartments."

However, Aeroflot has released a statement saying the crew did everything they could to save the passengers and evacuated them in less than a minute.

"The crew of the Aeroflot aircraft, which took off today from Moscow for Murmansk and was forced to return to Sheremetyevo airport due to technical reasons, did everything possible to save passengers. The aircraft was evacuated in 55 seconds, compared to the industry norm of 90 seconds," the statement said.

"The captain was the last to leave the burning aircraft.

"Malfunctions on board the aircraft, which was operating flight SU1492 from Moscow to Murmansk, were detected shortly after takeoff.

"The crew was forced to request an emergency return to the airport. The engines caught fire after landing at Sheremetyevo; the fire was swiftly extinguished. Passengers left the aircraft via the emergency exits. Emergency medical assistance is being provided to all those in need."

RT correspondent Boris Kuznetsov told the network: "We were sitting really close to the plane, which was completely on fire. The flames were huge. It was very difficult for the emergency services to tackle the blaze."

An investigation has reportedly been sparked to see what caused the accident mid-flight as well as how the massive fire was sparked during landing.

Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko" said: Investigators soon will begin interviewing victims, eyewitnesses, airport staff and the airline carrier, as well as other persons responsible for the operation of the aircraft."

The plane was only one year old and the crash happened just 27 minutes after take off, so no doubt there will be many questions surrounding the crash.

Aeroflot has announced it will fly the relatives of the victims to Moscow for free so that they can see their loved ones.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, Russia