The death toll from Sunday's Russian passenger jet crash has risen to 41 people.

The passenger jet, an Aeroflot Superjet-100, burst into flames Sunday during an emergency landing.

The plane took off from Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow Sunday evening, but began an emergency landing at the same airport just minutes after taking off. There were 78 people on board and of those 41 were killed, among the dead are two children.





The Russian-made Sukhoi Superjet was seen spewing smoke and flames as it made the emergency descent. After it came to stop perpendicular to the runway, passengers were seen running from the burning plane.

The jet was en route to Murmansk, a city in northern Russia. It is not yet clear what prompted the emergency landing or caused the fire.

Russian Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said that the cause of the fire is not yet known.

"Investigators soon will begin interviewing victims, eyewitnesses, airport staff, and the airline carrier, as well as other persons responsible for the operation of the aircraft," Petrenko said.