A passenger jet carrying 43 passengers crashed in Siberia early Monday morning, shortly after take-off reportedly killing at least 16 people.

The ATR 72, a twin-engine, turbo-prop plane, crashed some 30-35 km (18-22 miles) from the western Siberian city of Tyumen, Reuters quoted Emergency Situations Ministry spokeswoman Irina Andrianova as saying.

She told Reuters that 12 people were rescued and 16 bodies had been found at the crash site. According to preliminary information, there were 39 passengers and four crew on board.

At least five survivors are in critical condition, state-run RIA news agency reported, citing hospital officials in Tyumen. Reports suggest that the plane belonging to UTair company took off from Roschino airport, near Tyumen, towards Surgut (also in Siberia) and the radio control lost contact after the plane disappeared from radars at 05:35 local time (01:35 GMT).

An investigation has been launched into the crash.

Russia