Flight attendants won't end hunger strike

KRASNOYARSK, Russia, May 26 (UPI) -- A group of laid-off Russian flight attendants say hospitalizations won't stop their 12-day-old hunger strike to obtain back wages owed to them.

Six of the original nine hunger strikers in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk have been taken to hospitals, including one on Tuesday, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Former KrasAir flight attendant Irina Tretyakova said she and the remaining strikers will continue with their protest until the bankrupt airline pays them the eight months of wages they say are owed to them.

KrasAir ceased operations last October when it ran out of cash, the news service said. Part of the AirUnion alliance, the carrier had about 2,500 employees and folded owing an estimated $10 million in back wages to its employees.

RIA Novosti said other former KrasAir attendants not participating in the hunger strike were set to rally Wednesday near the airline's regional administration building in Krasnoyarsk.