2 Apr 2012

Russian plane crash kills 32

8:06 pm on 2 April 2012

A Russian passenger plane has crashed shortly after take-off in Siberia, killing 32 people.

The emergencies ministry says 11 survivors have been taken to hospital, where officials say at least five are in a critical condition.

The ATR-72 turboprop had just left Tyumen on a flight north-east to the oil town of Surgut when it crashed on Monday.

The transport ministry has launched an investigation and the deputy transport minister has flown to the site, the BBC reports.

Last year, at least 15 Russian planes crashed, killing 120 people and questions were raised about maintenance.