By Ali Cura
MOSCOW (AA) - At least 16 people were killed when a light aircraft crashed in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan on Sunday, according to Russian media.
Citing sources from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, the reports said there were 23 people on board, mostly parachutists.
The plane crashed shortly after it took off from an airport near the city of Minzele.
Seven others were injured, according to the initial reports.
Search and rescue teams arrived at the scene. The plane belonged to an aviation club.
*Writing by Gozde Bayar