DHAKA: A total of 61 people, including 55 passengers, were reportedly died as a Fly Dubai Boeing-737-800 en route from Dubai to Russia’s Rostov-on-Don, crashed at city airport missing the runway amid poor visibility on Saturday.

Of the 55 passengers, four children, and six crewmembers were on board, reported sputniknews.

Quoting a spokesman of Russia’s Emergencies Ministry, sputniknews reported that all the passengers who were on board were Russian citizens.

The crew members, however, were foreigners, the report added.

Russian Investigation Committee launched a preliminary investigation into Boeing 737-800 crash.

The blast occurred shortly after the jet crashed, according to an Investigation Committee.

Poor visibility caused by heavy rain could have been the likely cause of the crash.

“According to preliminary information, the Boeing-737 fell amid poor visibility conditions 50-100 meters [164-328 feet] left of the runway.”

Fly Dubai Airlines has confirmed the crash of its flight in Rostov-on-Don. An inquiry into the accident has been launched, the company’s statement reads.

Some 80 rescuers and 19 pieces of rescue equipment are working on the crash site.

The airport of Rostov-on-Don was closed due to the crash until 6:00am MSK (9:00am Bangladesh time), according to an airport spokesperson.

BDST: 0908 HRS, MAR 19, 2016
SR