Page 9 - ARUBA TODAY

A9
WORLD NEWS Tuesday 13 February 2018

Workers comb snowy field for clues to Russian plane crash

By V. ISACHENKOV The plane’s fuel tanks ex-
Associated Press ploded on impact, goug-
MOSCOW (AP) — Wading ing a deep crater and scat-
through knee-deep snow, tering wreckage across 30
hundreds of emergency hectares (74 acres), ac-
workers searched a vast cording to the Emergen-
field near Moscow on Mon- cies Ministry, which used
day for remains of the 71 drones to direct the search.
victims from the crash of a Pieces of the plane and hu-
Russian airliner, and avia- man remains were buried
tion experts began deci- in deep snow; some debris
phering the jet’s two flight was found in nearby trees.
recorders. Deputy Prime Minister
Investigators quickly ruled Arkady Dvorkovich told
out a terrorist attack in Sun- a Cabinet meeting that
day’s crash of the An-148 emergency teams have
regional jet bound for Orsk found both flight data
in the southern Urals. The air and cockpit voice record-
disaster has reignited ques- ers, key to determining the
tions, however, about the cause of the crash. Inves-
twin-engine plane that was Russian Emergency Situations Ministry employees and Russian police officers work at the scene tigators said they already
developed jointly by Rus- of a AN-148 plane crash in Stepanovskoye village, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the have started working on
sia and Ukraine but phased Domodedovo airport, Russia, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. them.
out of production amid the (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) President Vladimir Putin put
political crisis between the The carrier, Saratov Airlines, edovo airport, and all 65 for looking into such disas- off a planned trip to So-
neighbors. has grounded several other passengers and the crew ters, said that before the chi and stayed in Moscow
The model has a spotty An-148s in its fleet pending of six were killed when the crash, the plane was intact to monitor the investiga-
safety record, with one pre- the crash investigation. aircraft hit the ground and and there had been no fire tion. The Kremlin said U.S.
vious crash and a string of The plane crashed several exploded in a giant fireball. on board. Officials would President Donald Trump
major incidents in which pi- minutes after taking off The Investigative Commit- not speculate on possible called Putin to express his
lots struggled to land safely. from Moscow’s Domod- tee, Russia’s top agency causes. condolences.q

Cyprus says Turkish warships continue to block drilling rig

By M. HADJICOSTIS on ensuring that drilling stationed. wasn’t appropriate for a Mina Andreeva said. EU
Associated Press goes ahead as planned. Turkey opposes the oil drill- country that has worked Council President Donald
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The Turkish warships also ing, saying it disregards the to join the European Union Tusk echoed Andreeva. In
Turkey faced criticism Mon- prevented other merchant rights of breakaway Turkish membership. a post on his official Twit-
day after its warships con- vessels from approaching Cypriots to the island’s nat- The EU cautioned Turkey ter account, Tusk said he
tinued to impede a rig from the area, citing ongoing ural resources. to respect the territory of spoke to Cypriot President
reaching a location off Cy- military maneuvers, Christo- The Cypriot government its member states and to Nicos Anastasiades and
prus where Italian energy doulides said. Cyprus says says it has a sovereign right avoid ratcheting up ten- called on Turkey to “avoid
company Eni is scheduled a Turkish notice blocking off to drill for gas and that if the sions. Cyprus joined the EU threats or actions” against
to drill for gas. the area for military activity search is successful, any in 2004, but only the south- EU members and to com-
Cyprus government spokes- violates international law income would be shared ern part enjoys full mem- mit to “peaceful dispute
man Nicos Christodoulides and is legally invalid. equitably if the island is re- bership benefits. settlement.” Turkey has in
told state broadcaster RIK In 1974, Cyprus was divided unified. Greece’s foreign “Turkey needs to commit the past routinely issued
that the rig remains an- into a Greek Cypriot south, ministry condemned what unequivocally to good notices binding areas south
chored about 30 miles (50 where the internationally it said was Turkey’s disre- neighborly relations and of Cyprus for naval drills in
kilometers) from the drilling recognized government is gard for international law avoid any kind of source response to the island na-
target off the island na- seated, and a Turkish Cy- and the “blatant violation” of friction, threat or ac- tion’s hydrocarbons search.
tion’s southeastern coast. priot north that only Turkey of Cyprus’ sovereign rights. tion directed against a But it’s the first time that it
He said both the govern- recognizes and where over It also said that Turkey’s member state” European has taken such a step to
ment and Eni are focused 35,000 Turkish troops are “provocative” behavior Commission spokeswoman prevent drilling.q