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Forensic experts examine of Il-76 crash site in Siberia

Russian Emergency Ministry’s Il-76 plane crashed in the Irkutsk region on July 1 during the operation to extinguish forest fires

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© Maxim Grigoriev/TASS

© Maxim Grigoriev/TASS

© Maxim Grigoriev/TASS

IRKUTSK, July 4. /TASS/. Forensic experts have examined the crash site of the Ilyushin Il-76 plane in the Kachugsky district of the Irkutsk region, the press service of the Irkutsk region government reported on Monday with reference to the region's Health Minister Oleg Yaroshenko.

"The Irkutsk region’s Health Ministry resources are ready to transport the bodies of the killed plane crew form the Kachug village and from Irkutsk airport. The regional center has mobilized a genetic laboratory of the Irkutsk regional bureau of forensic medical examination", the minister said.

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According to him, the leadership of the Irkutsk regional bureau of forensic medical examination arrived at the crash site. In addition, two forensic experts worked at the Kachugsky District Hospital to organize the biological material sample taking for genetic examination.

Meanwhile, the operational headquarters of the Russian Emergencies Ministry said that the bodies of the plane crew were taken to Irkutsk for identification procedures. According to a source in the headquarters, after the identification the bodies of the Il-76 crew will be transported to Moscow by an Il-76 plane of the Emergencies Ministry.

Russian Emergency Ministry’s Il-76 plane with tail number 76840 crashed in the Irkutsk region on July 1 during the operation to extinguish forest fires that threatened populated localities. All 10 crew members that have extinguished hundreds of fires over their work record, were killed. According to a preliminary version of the accident, the plane, having dropped water on a hot spot in the Kachugdky district at an altitude 300 meters, turned to fly back to the base. Possibly, hot air from wildfires got into the plane engines, and the airliner lost thrust, as a result of which the aircraft could not ascent, hit the tree tops and crashed. The plane burned down during the crash.

A day of mourning has been declared in the Irkutsk region on Monday in connection with the Il-76 crash. The state flags are flown at half-mast in the region.

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