Black box found in wreckage of Russian military plane; 12 bodies recovered

27 December, Moscow

A black box has been found in the wreckage of a Russian military plane that crashed into the Black Sea, killing all 92 on board, the TASS news agency reported Tuesday citing a law enforcement source.

The source said the box, which contains flight information that could help identify the cause of the crash, would be sent to Moscow for analysis. Investigators have so far said that pilot error or a technical fault were likely to have caused the mishap.

The plane was carrying dozens of Red Army Choir singers and dancers to Syria to entertain Russian troops in the run-up to the New Year, as well as other passengers.

Meanwhile, Russian Defense Ministry said today that divers have found a total of 12 bodies and 156 plane fragments near the crash site in the Black Sea.