Plane crash in Aturugiriya, Hokandara -- 4 die

Air Force plane crashes in Hokandara .... 4 dead!

This morning at about 6.20 an aircraft crashed onto a rubber field in Hokandara area in Athurugiriya. It was later reported that the aircraft SMB 864 was an Antanov aircraft belonging to the Air Force and had met with this accident when flying from Katunayaka to Ratmalana carrying 5 pilots.

This has crashed to the rubber field known as Catherine Park in Horana, Hokandara and had gone up in flames emanating a massive cloud of smoke and villagers had rushed to the spot with buckets of water to douse the fire. The fire brigade had arrived only half an hour later. One person was found with serious injuries and had been admitted to the National Hospital. It was reported that in the process 2 dead bodies were removed from there.

Bodies of the other two who were supposed to be inside the aircraft have still not been recovered. The number of the deceased victims are supposed to be 4 in number.

As there were no humans or buildings on this strip of land when the incident happened, no person was harmed by this tragedy in the process. It is now confirmed by Civil Aviation Authority that an Antanov type aircraft belonging to the Air Force it is that had crashed in this manner.

Information is being received that the aircraft which had commenced journey had got trapped in severe mist and the last message received from the aircraft was that the Ratmalana air route was not visible.

To witness the incident a large crowd have gathered in Hokandara area by now.

A number of photos and video report, from BELOW