A Soviet-era Antonov An-24 passenger plane carrying 49 people crashed in Russia’s remote Far East on Thursday, with officials fearing no survivors after the aircraft’s burning wreckage was spotted in dense forest. Rescue teams are racing to the site near Tynda, a town in the Amur region, amid challenging terrain.
What We Know So Far
The flight, operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines, vanished from radar during its 500-mile journey from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda. Unverified helicopter footage shared online showed the fuselage engulfed in flames, with debris scattered across a hillside 15 km from its destination.
Decades-Old Aircraft
Built in 1976, the aging plane had 43 passengers (including five children) and six crew members aboard, according to regional governor Vasily Orlov. Conflicting reports from emergency services initially listed around 40 people on board.
Race Against Time
Rescuers using Mi-8 helicopters face rugged, forested terrain to reach the crash site. “Rescuers continue to make their way to the scene,” said emergency official Yuliya Petina on Telegram. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the disaster.
