A Russian passenger plane with 49 people on board crashed on Thursday morning near Tynda, a remote town in Russia’s Far East, as emergency teams scour rugged terrain hoping to find survivors.
The Angara Airlines An-24, a reliable twin turboprop model often used for regional flights, lost radar contact shortly before it was meant to land at Tynda Airport, close to the Chinese border. According to Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, the aircraft went down in a forested area about 15km from the airport.
Search and rescue crews responded quickly. Local authorities told RIA Novosti that parts of the burning wreckage were found on a mountainside. So far, no survivors have been spotted from the air, but search teams are moving across rough ground in hopes of finding people alive. “While no survivors have been seen from the air, ground searches are ongoing and we remain hopeful,” an Amur regional emergency command spokesperson said.
There are conflicting reports about how many people were on the plane. The regional governor, Vasily Orlov, put the figure at 43 passengers, including five children, plus six crew, totaling 49. However, the local emergency ministry gave a lower estimate of around 40 on board.
Officials say the crash site is difficult for rescuers to reach, as thick forests, hills, and lingering poor visibility in this Siberian region frequently complicate emergency response. Video from Russian media has shown heavy smoke rising over dense trees at the crash scene.
The Antonov An-24 has served Russia and other former Soviet states since the 1960s, popular for its sturdy build on remote routes. However, experts have long pointed out that ageing planes and Siberia’s harsh weather can threaten air travel safety. At the time of the crash, conditions were said to be moderate, though it’s still too early to rule out any technical or environmental cause. Authorities said no distress signal was sent before the aircraft disappeared from radar.
Emergency teams continue working at the site as families anxiously await news. Aviation authorities are expected to begin a full investigation soon, as the country works to clarify what led to the crash and improve safety for future flights.
