Romanian AN-2 Air Crash Death Toll Climbs to 12

Officials say the death toll in the crash of a Romanian military plane has risen to 12.

The Defense Ministry says the Antonov AN-2 had 14 people on board. It said Tuesday that two survivors were being treated in a Bucharest hospital. The plane took off Monday from a small air base near the Black Sea for parachute training. Shortly after takeoff it lost altitude, crashed and burst into flames, The Associated Press informs.

Shortly after takeoff around 5:40 p.m. local time, the Antonov 2 plane with five air force crew members and nine navy paratroopers on board suddenly lost altitude and hit the ground, bursting into flames.

The plane belonged to the Romanian air force application school Aurel Vlaicu in Boboc. Jianu was the commanding officer there and a flight instructor, the Defense Ministry said, CNN reports.