MOSCOW/WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Federal Agency for Air Transport said on Wednesday that an investigation has been launched into the cause of the plane crash in the Tver Region, noting that Yevgeny Prigozhin was among the passengers.
"An investigation into the Embraer plane crash that occurred in the Tver Region this evening has been launched. According to the passenger list, the first and last name of Yevgeny Prigozhin was included in this list," the agency said.
According to the agency, the plane is owned by a company named MNT-Aero and was on a flight to St. Petersburg from Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport.
Local media reported that Wagner Group private military company leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was on board.
Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations said eight bodies had been found during the rescue operation which is still going on.
U.S. President Joe Biden has been briefed on reports that a plane reportedly carrying Prigozhin crashed in Russia, according to the White House press pool.
"We have seen the reports. If confirmed, no one should be surprised," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said via her account on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter. ■