An aircraft transporting almost 50 individuals reportedly went down on Thursday, with emergency responders at the scene having located the debris.
The nation’s Emergency Situations Ministry announced that search teams discovered the plane’s burning wreckage on a hillside south of its intended destination, the town of Tynda, which is situated near Russia’s border.
Photographs of the alleged crash site, distributed by Russian state media, reveal debris dispersed throughout dense woodland, enveloped by columns of smoke.
An initial aerial survey of the location indicated no survivors, as reported by Russia’s Interfax news agency, citing anonymous sources within the emergency services. These sources also mentioned challenging weather conditions in the region.
The transport prosecutor’s office stated that the aircraft attempted a second landing approach when communication was lost.
Regional Governor Vasily Orlov confirmed that the An-24 passenger plane was carrying 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on its journey from the city of Blagoveshchensk, located on the Russian-Chinese border, to the town of Tynda.
In contrast, Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry reported 48 people were aboard the flight, operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines. The reason for this numerical difference was not immediately apparent.
This is an evolving situation. Further updates will be provided.