Alalam - Russia

The Tu-154 crashed into the Black Sea early Sunday two minutes after departing in good weather from the city of Sochi.

The plane was carrying members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, widely known as the Red Army Choir, to a New Year's concert at a Russian military base in Syria.

According to rescue officials, many pieces of debris have been found, making it possible to say where exactly the plane had crashed.

The work has involved 3,500 people, including about 200 navy divers flown to the site from all over Russia.

Aided by drones and submersibles, teams have recovered 12 bodies and numerous body fragments about a mile away from the shore as of Tuesday evening.

Floral tributes were laid at the ensemble's headquarters in Moscow, AP reported.

SA