IRKUTSK, December 27. /ITAR-TASS/. December 28 has been declared a day of mourning in the Irkutsk region for those killed in a crash of the Antonov An-12 plane. Irkutsk region governor Sergei Yeroshchenko has signed the corresponding decree, the local administration reported.

“Flags will be flown at half-mast on the mourning day in the region. All local culture institutions have been advised to cancel entertainment events, except the New Year celebration events for children. TV and radio companies operating in the region have been instructed not to transmit entertainment programs,” the report says.

The Irkutsk region governor has given instructions to provide material aid to the families of those killed in the catastrophe.

The An-12 plane, owned by the Irkut Research and Production Corporation, was carrying aircraft components from Novosibirsk to Irkutsk. It crashed at about 21:45, local time, (12:45 GMT) in the area of the Batareinaya station of the East Siberian railway on December 26 during landing approach.

According to the investigation, at a distance of one kilometer to the landing strip the aircraft disappeared from the radars. When falling the plane, hitting with its wings the roofs of warehouses, was partially destroyed. All those on board were killed - six crewmembers and three aircraft mechanics. A criminal case was opened over the air crash on violation of the rules of aircraft traffic safety and operation resulting in the death of two and more persons through negligence (Article 263, part 3 of the Russian Criminal Code).