According to Hong Kong based Information Center for Human Rights & Democracy, on October 19, a Chinese military “Transport Aircraft 7” crashed into a wheat field close to Heshui City, Hebei Province. It is estimated that at least seven people were killed in the accident.
A contrary report from the pro-Beijing Hong Kong media China News Agency (CNA), stated that the exact crash location was Lishan Village, Damasen Town, Taocheng District, Hengshui City and that at least two people died. The report indicated that the number of casualties is unclear because the site had been sealed off by military police and no media were allowed.
The CNA report quoted a local official who said initially the crashed aircraft was heading south, and it exploded when trying to avoid the high voltage power line. According to the local villagers, there could have been as many as five to six people on board.
This is China’s second military aircraft accident this year. The first accident was on June 3, when an airplane crashed in Anhui Province with 40 deaths reported, including two foreign military aircraft experts.
Based on recent information, the cause of the June 3 accident was due to passengers not fastening their safety belts. When the aircraft lost its balance, people fell to the opposite side of the aircraft causing an imbalance which resulted in the plane crashing.
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