Russian aeroplane loses gold-silver bars on take-off
- Published
![Precious metal bars scattered across the runway at Yakutsk airport on 15 March](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/cpsprodpb/C1D7/production/_100432694_4870eaf6-2274-46c8-9059-31d8726644b3.jpg)
The precious cargo rained down on the runway
There has been shock at an airport in far east Russia after bars of precious metal rained down onto the runway.
A plane laden with tonnes of gold-silver alloy was taking off from Yakutsk airport in Siberia when a loading hatch broke off.
Some 200 bars, each weighing about 20kg (44 pounds), were then scattered across the runway.
All of the bars have now been recovered, a spokesman for the Canadian mine owner told news agency Interfax.
![A metal bar on the tarmac at Yakutsk airport on 15 March](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/412/cpsprodpb/10BA/production/_100428240_zoloto1.jpg)
Each bar is believed to weigh 20kg
Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.
![Police examine broken hatch on cargo plane](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/412/cpsprodpb/C082/production/_100428294_zoloto2.jpg)
Police sealed off the area
![Presentational grey line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/464/cpsprodpb/10301/production/_98950366_presentational_grey_line464-nc.jpg)
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