Moscow: At least nine persons were killed when a twin-engine plane with 25 people on board, including parachutists, crashed in Central Russia on March 1.

The Czech-made L-410 turbo-prop plane, belonging to a local flying club, with at least 23 para-divers and two-member crew, began to disintegrate at the altitude of 3,200 metres and fell near a village in Tver region, North West of Moscow, according to the Emergency Situations and Disaster Management Ministry Control Room.

Nine on board were killed, three injured and nine escaped unhurt, the Emergency Ministry said. Four passengers were unaccounted for.

NTV network had earlier reported that few parachutists managed to jump to safety before the ill-fated plane plummeted from the height of 600 metres after losing its left wing and a tailpiece.

PTI