71 killed as plane crashes after take-off

A RUSSIAN airliner has crashed moments after taking off from the country’s secondbusiest airport, killing all 71 people on board.

The pilots of the An-148 regional jet did not report any problems before the twinengine aircraft plunged into the field about 25 miles from Domodedovo Airport, just outside Moscow.

The Saratov Airlines flight disappeared from radar just minutes after its departure for the city of Orsk, 1,000 miles to the south-east.

Russian transport minister Maxim Sokolov confirmed that there were no survivors.

The 65 passengers ranged in age from five to 79, according to a list posted by the Russian emergencies ministry. Their nationalities were not confirmed. Six crew members were also on board.

Emergency workers combed through the field while investigators searched for clues to what might have brought the jet down. One of the flight recorders was recovered, Russian news reports said, but it is not immediately clear if it was the data or voice recorder. The airport has been the focus of security concerns in the past.

Security lapses came under sharp criticism in 2004, after Chechen suicide bombers destroyed two airliners that took off from the airport on the same evening, killing a total of 90 people. A 2011 bombing in the arrivals area killed 37 people. ANSWERS: 1. America’s Cup. 2. Britain. 3. It was a war grave. 4. Lord Kitchener. 5. Mediterranean. 6. Chatham. Link: DANCING.