Russia's Emergency Ministry says a plane carrying a group of parachute jumpers crashed after takeoff in the region of Tatarstan early on Sunday, killing 16 people and injuring six.

The plane was owned by an aeroclub in the city of Menzelinsk. Cosmonauts use the area for training and the aeroclub has hosted local, European championships and one world championship.

Russian aviation safety standards have been tightened in recent years but accidents continue to happen, particularly in remote regions.

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