Donetsk plane crash survivors describe ‘nightmare

Passengers who survived a crash at Donetsk airport in Southern Ukraine on February 13 have described their ordeal.

Five people were killed when a Soviet-designed AN-24 overshot the runway, broke up and caught fire. A flight attendant is reportedly still missing.

Surviving passengers called the experience a “nightmare”. One said: “The plane collapsed like a tin can. It turned upside down and broke up. Thank you to those who helped us undo our seat belts. After that, we had been moved to a safe distance before the aircraft burst into flames.”

Former Soviet republics have been criticised for poor air traffic safety after a string of accidents in recent years. Analysts blame old aircraft and weak government controls.