Search operation of the Black Sea

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Sunday that a total of 92 people were on board of Tu-154 that crashed in the Black Sea.

There were 84 passengers and 8 crew members on board of the plane that was en route to Latakia, RIA Novosti reported, saying there were 68 performing artists on board of the plane.

The first body has been found 6 km from Sochi coastline following the crash of the plane, Konashenkov said.

"A body of a person who died in Russia's Defense Ministry's Tu-154 airplane crash has been found 6 km away from Sochi coastline. The body has been lifted on board of the rescue vehicle," Konashenkov said. 

The plane departed from Sochi at 5.20am local time on Sunday, or at 9.20pm EST. It disappeared from radars about 20 minutes after takeoff.

Source: MENA