20000325

8 killed

in S Lanka

plane crash

COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan cargo plane crashed near the international airport on Friday in bad weather, killing at least five Russian crewmen and three others, airport and hospital sources said.

The Russian-built Antanov-12 aircraft crashed at Kadirana, just north of the Bandaranaike international airport, after aborting its first attempt to land in bad weather, airport chairman Sudharshan Manamperi said.

He said the aircraft had been holding for about 45 minutes after overshooting the runway because of poor visibility caused by heavy rains.

Hospital sources said five Russian crewmen and another Sri Lankan crew member succumbed to their injuries, while two people on the ground were also killed when the aircraft crashed into their house.ÑAFP