On Thursday, an Antonov An-24 operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines crashed in Russia's far eastern Amur region, with initial reports suggesting all 50 people on board were killed. A passing helicopter spotted the burning fuselage in dense forest, and rescue crews rushed to the remote site.
The commuter flight had departed from Blagoveshchensk and was approaching Tynda when it suddenly disappeared from radar screens. The 1976-built twin-turboprop was on a routine route that links isolated communities across vast, rugged terrain.
Regional governor Vasily Orlov said there were 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on board. Russia's Emergencies Ministry put the figure slightly lower, at around 40, highlighting the uncertainty that follows a sudden disaster.
Debris was found on a hill roughly 15 kilometers from Tynda. "During the search operation, a Mi-8 helicopter belonging to Rossaviatsiya discovered the fuselage of the aircraft, which was on fire," wrote emergency services official Yuliya Petina. "Rescuers continue to make their way to the scene of the accident."
Authorities have launched an investigation into the causes of the crash. The tragedy underscores the challenges of air travel in remote areas, where weather, terrain and aging fleets can pose serious risks.
Reference(s):
Russian plane crashes in far east, nearly 50 people aboard feared dead
cgtn.com
