Russian investigators have finished identifying bodies found after the plane crash near Yaroslavl and officially confirmed that Slovak ice hockey player Pavol Demitra died during the crash on September 7, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ľuboš Schwarzbacher, told the TASR newswire.
“The ministry is in steady contact with Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations and the victim’s family, which is receiving our assistance in the transport of the mortal remains to Slovakia,” said Schwarzbacher, as quoted by TASR. He added that the Russian investigative team has already filed a criminal complaint for violation of the rules pertaining to aviation safety.
Residents of Slovakia continue to express sympathy to Demitra’s family as citizens of Trenčín, who assembled in front of the local stadium right after the information about Demitra’s death was first released, were joined by Slovakia’s top political representatives. Slovakia’s parliament observed a minute of silence while the government expressed sympathy to his family.
“Pavol [Demitra] was a figure not only for ice hockey fans but also for all those in whom, as captain of the national team, he engendered a feeling of pride in being Slovak,” states the letter of condolence sent by Prime Minister Iveta Radičová. “Only a few of us have the gift to leave such a profound and un-erasable trace on the hearts of other people. Pavol Demitra did just this, which made him an unforgettable person – both on the ice and off it.”
Source: TASR
For more information on this story please see: 34 die in Russian plane crash including Slovak hockey legend Pavol Demitra
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
