Death toll in Ukraine military plane crash rises to 25

The AN-26 aircraft of the Armed Forces of Ukraine crashed at 9.55 p.m. (1855GMT) near the military airport in the northeastern area of Chuguiv before catching fire, the service said earlier. (Photo: ДСНС України/Facebook)

KIEV – The death toll from a military plane crash near Kharkiv has reached 25, a statement by the chief prosecutor in Ukraine said early Saturday.

The prosecutor’s office said an investigation has been launched into the crash of an AN-26 type military plane that also severely injured two people.

Kharkiv Governor Oleksiy Kucher said the plane crashed while landing and those who were injured jumped from the aircraft as it approached the ground.

Kucher also said the pilot notified officials before the crash that the left engine was not working. However, details would be learned from the investigation.

It was reported that crewmembers and students of the Kharkiv University of Air Force were aboard the airplane.

The State Emergency Service previously said 22 people were killed, two were injured, and four were missing but an update listed 27 people on board.

The AN-26 aircraft of the Armed Forces of Ukraine crashed at 9.55 p.m. (1855GMT) near the military airport in the northeastern area of Chuguiv before catching fire, the service said earlier. (Anadolu)