Passenger Plane Crashes in Russia’s Far East, Nearly 50 People Dead

(Representative Image)

Russia Plane Crash: All 49 Feared Dead in Remote Far East Tragedy

In a tragic aviation disaster, all 49 people aboard an Antonov An-24 passenger plane are feared dead after it crashed in a mountainous area near Tynda, a remote town in Russia’s Far East. The Angara Airlines flight lost contact with air traffic control around 1 p.m. local time on Thursday, just minutes before its scheduled arrival.

Rescue teams later discovered the charred wreckage approximately 16 kilometers from Tynda. A fire was still burning at the crash site, making rescue efforts difficult. “According to preliminary information, all on board were killed,” an emergency official told state-run TASS. Harsh terrain and ongoing flames have prevented helicopters from landing at the site.

Among the 49 on board were six crew members. The aircraft had originated in Khabarovsk, stopped in Blagoveshchensk, and was en route to Tynda.

Amur region Governor Vasily Orlov confirmed the fuselage had been located, while officials launched a criminal investigation into possible air safety violations. The aircraft, a Soviet-era An-24 turboprop over 50 years old, was reportedly certified for operation through 2036 after receiving renewed clearance in 2021.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had been briefed on the disaster.