Latest Update: A Russian plane goes out of radar

December 25, 2016-BBC

A Russian plane has disappeared from radar just minutes after take-off from the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russian media say.

They are citing a source at the emergency ministry as saying the absent aircraft is a Tu-154.

Between 70 and 100 people are stated to be on board the plane.

Unverified reports say the aircraft belongs to the defence ministry, hovering to Syria’s Latakia area. Russian officials have so far made no remark.

Interfax news agency reports mentioned a source as saying that the plane vanished from radar 20 minutes after take-off at 05:20 local time (02:20 GMT).

The aircraft went misplaced as it was steering over Russia’s territorial waters, the source added.

Reports recommend a military music band and reporters were among those on board the aircraft.

A search action is now under way, Russia’s state-run Rossiya24 TV channels reports.