Moscow: A major aviation alert has been triggered in Russia’s Far East after a 24 passenger aircraft, operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines, disappeared from radar on Thursday while en route to the remote town of Tynda in the Amur region, near the Chinese border.
According to preliminary reports from regional governor Vasily Orlov, 49 people were believed to be on board -including 43 passengers (5 of them children) and 6 crew members. However, Russia’s emergencies ministry issued a slightly lower estimate, stating around 40 people were aboard, said a report in Reuters.
The aircraft lost contact with air traffic controllers during its final approach to Tynda. Immediately after the disappearance, search and rescue operations were launched. “All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane,” Governor Orlov confirmed on Telegram.
The weather conditions and terrain in Russia’s Far East are notoriously challenging, with vast forests, mountains, and low population density often hampering rescue operations. As of now, the fate of the aircraft and its passengers remains unknown.
The missing plane incident has raised fresh concerns over air safety in remote regions of Russia, especially involving older Soviet-era aircraft like the An-24, which has a long but sometimes troubled service history.
Authorities are yet to confirm whether a crash has occurred or if there is any possibility of an emergency landing. Emergency teams, aviation experts, and local officials are coordinating efforts to locate the aircraft as swiftly as possible.
As the search continues, families of the passengers and crew wait anxiously for any updates on the missing flight.
(Curated by Niswarth)