Russian plane crash: 71 killed in one of the country's worst aviation disasters

Three children were among the fatalities on a list published by Russian authorities. IN PIC: This screen grab provided by the Life.ru shows the wreckage of the plane. (Photo | AP)

Investigators said the Antonov An-148 plane went down in the Ramensky district on the outskirts of Moscow at 2:48 pm (1128 GMT) after taking off from Domodedovo airport in the capital. IN PIC: In this photo provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry, RMES employees work at the scene. (Photo | AP)

The flight was operated by the domestic Saratov Airlines and was headed for Orsk, a city in the Ural mountains. (Photo | AP)

Russia's Investigative Committee said numerous possible causes of the crash would be considered, including weather conditions as the country has experienced record snowfall in recent weeks. (Photo | AP)

The site was enveloped in heavy snow, making it difficult to access, with emergency workers forced to park their vehicles and reach the wreckage by foot. Others used snowmobiles and drones to survey the scene. (Photo | AP)

More than 400 people and 70 vehicles had been deployed to the crash site, the country's emergency ministry said. IN PIC: Relatives and friends of those on the Saratov Airlines airline plane comfort each other while gathering at an airport outside Orsk. (Photo | AP)