Russian Passenger Plane Crashes in Far East; Dozens Feared Dead

MOSCOW, Reuters: A Soviet-era Antonov An-24 aircraft carrying nearly 50 people crashed in Russia’s remote Far East on Thursday, with emergency officials fearing no survivors.

The plane, operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines, went down while flying from Blagoveshchensk to the town of Tynda in the Amur region, near the Chinese border. It disappeared from radar as it approached its destination.

Initial reports said 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members were on board, according to Amur regional governor Vasily Orlov. Russia’s emergencies ministry put the total number on board slightly lower, at around 40.

Debris was located approximately 15 kilometers from Tynda, with a burning fuselage spotted by a Mi-8 rescue helicopter. “Rescuers continue to make their way to the crash site,” emergency official Yuliya Petina said via Telegram.

Unverified video circulating on social media showed wreckage in dense forest. The aircraft, with a tail number dating back to 1976, was nearly 50 years old.

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the crash.