Eleven killed as Russian cargo plane crashes

A Russian cargo plane crashed in the country's far eastern Kolyma region yesterday, killing 11 people, after its engine failed.

The Antonov-12, which was delivering food products to the far-flung region of Chukotka, caught fire and requested to make an emergency return to the city of Magadan soon after take-off.

The plane was carrying nine crew and two passengers, as well as 16 tonnes of food products, said a statement from the regional transport prosecutor's website. Interfax news agency cited the office as saying all those on board had died.

The crash is the latest in a string of transport accidents that have prompted Russia's leaders to condemn the country's dilapidated infrastructure and endemic corner-cutting on safety.