DNA tests being carried out to identify victims of plane crash near Tver - Russian Investigative Committee

MOSCOW. Aug 25 (Interfax) - The Russian Investigative Committee has retrieved flight recorders from the business jet that crashed in the Tver region, among whose passengers Yevgeny Prigozhin was listed, and is working to identify the crash victims.

"The bodies of ten victims were discovered during the primary investigative actions at the plane crash site. DNA tests are being carried out to identify them," the committee said.

Investigators have retrieved flight recorders from the plane and are continuing a detailed examination of the crash site, it said.

Investigators are collecting objects and documents that may be of significance for determining all circumstances of the crash, and all necessary forensic expert examinations will be ordered, it said.

"The investigation will thoroughly analyze all possible theories of the accident," it said.

As reported previously with reference to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry press service, a private Embraer Legacy crashed near Kuzhenkino in the Tver region on August 23, killing all ten people on board. The plane was reportedly en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg.

The Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) said the flight's manifest included the name of Yevgeny Prigozhin among other passengers.

The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case on a count of violation of air transport operation safety rules.

President Vladimir Putin has offered deep condolences to the families of the plane crash victims, which presumably included Prigozhin, and promised a thorough investigation into the tragedy.