YEREVAN (ArmRadio)—A cargo plane crashed in the capital of Congo as it was trying to land in stormy weather, reportedly killing some 30 nearby residents, as well as the crew, among them five Armenian citizens.
The spokesperson for Armenia’s General Department of Civil Aviation Nelly Cherchinyan confirmed the Armenians were on board.
The Il-76 plane, owned by Aero-Services company, was carrying cars and other goods from western port city of Pointe Noire to the capital Brazzaville.
The names of Armenian pilots who died in Congo plane crash have been announced: Varazdat Balasanyan, born in 1949 (captain of the crew), Ara Tovmasyan, Andranik Gevorgyan, Edgar Avetyan, Tadeos Hovhannisyan, announced Armenia’s Foreign Ministry spokeman Tigran Balayan.
Sad. May GOD console their relatives.
Horrible. Just shocked. It’s hard to believe.I knew Ando personally. Best man ever. I am so sorry. May God lighten their souls.
My condolences go out to all the families who are dealing with this tragic event. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the loved ones lost. My condolences especially go out to Edgar Avetyan who lost his life at just the age of 23. & left behind a beautiful wife(my cousin.) They were merely married for only 7 months. Edgar was following his dad’s footsteps to become an Airplane Engineer. Sadly he never got the chance to follow his dreams.
J.T., San Diego, Ca.