A domestic passenger aircraft carrying close to 50 people has reportedly crashed in Russia’s Far Eastern Amur region, with all occupants feared dead. The incident occurred on Thursday, and initial reports indicate that the aircraft vanished from radar shortly before it was due to land near the town of Tynda, close to the Chinese border.
According to the Interfax (IFAX) news agency, the wreckage of the plane was discovered later that day, confirming fears of a fatal accident. Though official confirmation regarding casualties is yet to be issued by Russian authorities, several media outlets, including Reuters, have cited emergency services officials suggesting that no one survived the crash.
Aircraft Identified as Angara Airlines’ An-24
The missing aircraft has been identified as an Antonov An-24, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft operated by Angara Airlines, which is based in Siberia. The aircraft was on approach to its scheduled destination in Tynda when it suddenly disappeared from radar systems.
In a video circulated by RT (Russia Today) on social media, the aircraft’s burning fuselage can be seen on the forest floor, reportedly spotted by a search helicopter. The footage adds to the growing fears that all 49 individuals on board have perished.
Conflicting Reports on Passenger Numbers
Details regarding the exact number of passengers remain somewhat inconsistent. While Amur region Governor Vasily Orlov stated that 43 passengers, including five children, were on board along with six crew members, totaling 49, the local emergencies ministry offered a slightly lower estimate, saying around 40 people may have been aboard.
RT has also corroborated the 49-person manifest, stating that the plane was carrying five children and six crew members. The channel reported definitively:
“Passenger plane with 49 people crashes in Russia’s Amur region. No survivors reported media.”
Search and Rescue Efforts Underway
Authorities have launched an extensive search and recovery operation. Governor Orlov confirmed that all available resources and emergency teams have been mobilized to the crash zone.
“All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane,” the governor said in a statement.
The aircraft reportedly lost contact with air traffic control just minutes before it was due to land, and no distress signals or emergency communications were received from the cockpit.
Aviation Safety Concerns and Investigations Ahead
The Antonov An-24, first introduced in the Soviet Union in the 1960s, is a workhorse aircraft still used in remote areas due to its rugged build and short takeoff and landing capabilities. However, its continued use has drawn criticism from aviation experts due to safety concerns and aging infrastructure.
Russian aviation authorities are expected to launch a formal investigation into the cause of the crash. Factors such as weather conditions, technical failure, and pilot error will be examined.
As of now, there has been no official statement from Angara Airlines regarding the incident.
This devastating crash adds to a string of aviation tragedies in remote parts of Russia, where challenging terrain and aging aircraft fleets complicate air travel. While the nation awaits official confirmation, the reported loss of 49 lives including children has sent waves of sorrow across the country.
More updates are expected as emergency teams reach the crash site and conduct recovery operations.
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