An aging passenger plane crashed in a remote, forested area of Russia’s Far East on Thursday, killing all 48 people on board, including five children, regional officials have confirmed.
The Angara Airlines aircraft disappeared from radar while on its second landing approach in what were reported to be adverse weather conditions.
The Antonov An-24 aircraft was traveling from the city of Blagoveshchensk to the town of Tynda in the Amur region when contact was lost.
Rescue teams later discovered the plane’s burning wreckage scattered across a hillside amid dense forest. Images from the scene, located approximately 7,000 kilometres east of Moscow, showed plumes of smoke rising from the debris.
Investigation Underway as Officials Confirm No Survivors
Amur region Governor Vasily Orlov confirmed there were no survivors among the passengers and crew and has declared a three-day period of mourning.
Russia’s transport prosecutor’s office has launched a probe into potential flight safety violations that resulted in multiple deaths, which is standard procedure following an aviation accident. Officials noted that contact was lost as the plane was attempting its second approach to land.
While the official cause is yet to be determined, unnamed emergency services sources cited poor weather at the time of the crash.
Several Russian news outlets also highlighted the aircraft’s age, reporting that the plane was nearly 50 years old based on its tail number.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing aviation safety concerns in Russia, with experts citing the impact of international sanctions on the country’s airline industry and maintenance capabilities.