Russian experts begin investigations into causes of Tu-154 crash

A group of Russian experts have begun to work in Southern Germany to investigate into the causes of the crash of the Russian Tu-154 liner. RIA Novosti learned this from the Russian embassy in Germany.

According to a member of the embassy, at 12.00 noon local time a joint press-conference is expected to be given by Russian experts and Thomas Schoible, Interior Minister of the Baden Wuerttemberg Land.

A 35-man strong group of Russian experts from the International Aviation Committee, Transport Ministry and Rosaviakosmos led by Leonid Kashirsky, vice-chairman of the commission to investigate into aviation accidents on Russia's air transport, arrived in Germany on the previous day.

Apart from that, 15 representatives of Bashkiria's leadership and the Bashkirian Airlines arrived at the site of the accident.

Late on July 1st, a Russian Tu-154 airliner of the Bashkirian Airlines and a Boeing-757 cargo jet of the DHL international transportation company collided in the area of Boden See at a height of 11,000 m.

On board Tu-154 were 12 crew members and 57 passengers -- 52 children going on vacations, and five adults accompanying them. On board the Boeing were two pilots. All were killed.