True causes of Russian aircraft's crash will be established, says Russian Premier

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov is confident that the actions of Russian experts will contribute to an objective investigation into the causes of the crash of the Tu-154 liner of Bashkir Airlines.

Speaking at a government meeting, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that all steps would be taken at international level that such things never happen again.

On behalf of the Russian government the Prime Minster expressed condolences to the people of Bashkiria (an autonomous republic in the Southern Urals Region, incorporated in the Russian Federation) who suffered that great loss.

Mikhail Kasyanov noted that the authorities of the republic had carried out efficient and prompt work in rendering the necessary assistance to the relatives of the victims. The federal authorities, too, have joined in that work since the very first minutes after the tragedy happened, added Kasyanov.

The Premier said that the aircraft carrying the relatives of the crash victims has already left for the site of the tragedy in Germany.

On Tuesday night, a Russian passenger Tu-154 liner of Barhkir Airlines and a Boeing-757 freight aircraft of the DHL international transportation company collided at a height of 11,000 metres in the area of Boden See in Germany. On board the Tu-154 were 12 crew members and 57 passengers -- 52 children on their way to a holiday, and 5 adults accompanying them. On board the Boeing were 2 pilots. All were killed.