Four Belarussians, one Ukrainian killed in An-12 crash in Luxor

12:17

An An-12 transport aircraft crashed during the take off from the Egyptian city of Luxor, killing its five crewmembers - four Belarussians and one Ukrainian, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service has reported.

According to Ukraine's Embassy in Egypt, the An-12 crashed at 0410 local time on Friday after taking off from Luxor airport.

The aircraft, owned by the Aerolift company (South African Republic), landed in Luxor to refuel while en route from Uganda to Ukraine.

All five crewmembers were killed in the crash. Their bodies were taken to Luxor International Hospital and the General Hospital of the city.

According to the western mass media, one of the aircraft's engines caught fire during take off, flames spread over the airplane and it crashed not far from the runway.

The Ukrainian embassies in Egypt, South African Republic and the Foreign Ministry's consular department are closely monitoring the case.

20.02.2009