Moscow: A Soviet-era Antonov An-24 passenger plane carrying nearly 50 people has crashed in Russia’s remote far eastern Amur region.
According to Russian emergency services, the aircraft was en route from the city of Blagoveshchensk to Tynda when it disappeared from radar while approaching its destination.
The wreckage was later discovered engulfed in flames in a densely forested area roughly 15 kilometers (10 miles) from Tynda, a small town near the Chinese border. A helicopter operated by Rossaviatsiya, Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, located the burning fuselage during an aerial search operation.
The aircraft, bearing a tail number that identified it as being manufactured in 1976, was operated by Angara Airlines, a Siberia-based regional carrier. The Antonov An-24 model, once a stalwart of Soviet aviation, is nearly five decades old and has seen a decline in global use due to age-related reliability concerns.
Regional Governor Vasily Orlov stated that preliminary information suggested 49 people were on board, 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members. However, the Russian Emergencies Ministry later reported a slightly lower figure, estimating around 40 individuals were aboard the ill-fated flight.
While officials have not yet confirmed fatalities, initial information from emergency responders at the scene suggests that no survivors have been found. The dense terrain and ongoing fire have hindered rescue efforts, though crews are working urgently to reach the remote crash site.
Russian aviation authorities have launched a full investigation into the crash. The Interstate Aviation Committee and the Investigative Committee of Russia are expected to examine the aircraft’s maintenance history, flight data, and weather conditions at the time of the crash.
This incident adds to concerns over the continued use of aging aircraft in remote regions of Russia, where logistical challenges often mean reliance on older, rugged airframes for essential transport links.
