September 7 is the first anniversary of the Yaroslavl air disaster, which occurred when a Yak-42 plane -- carrying the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl professional ice hockey team -- plunged into the Tunoshna River shortly after takeoff. The aircraft failed to gain altitude and struck an airport tower mast before bursting into flames and crashing 2 kilometers from the airport. Of the 45 people on board, only one survived. Ice hockey fans around the world were shocked by the accident.
The Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Air Disaster
1
The crash site of the Yak-42 jet near the city of Yaroslavl on the Tunoshna River.
2
A video still of burning wreckage shortly after the plane crashed.
3
Investigators inspect the debris of the plane at the crash site.
4
Then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made a personal visit to the crash site.
5
6
Rescue workers remove a body from the crash site.
7
A man throws flowers at the plane crash site beside the Tunoshna River.
8
Russia's then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin flew in specially to attend a farewell ceremony for the Lokomotiv Yaroslav ice hockey players at their home arena.
9
Thousands of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl fans attended a commemorative service at a church in the city a day after the disaster.
10
As a mark of respect for those killed, fans left thousands of flowers, team jerseys, and flags outside Lokomotiv Yaroslavl's arena.
11
Thousands of ice hockey fans also turned out on Prague's Old Town Square to mourn the victims of the crash.
12
Three well-known Czech players died in the disaster.
13
14
Two Belarusians were also among the dead. Many hockey fans turned up at the Minsk-Arena Complex to pay their respects.
