Deadly Plane Crash in Russia’s Far East: All 49 Aboard Feared Dead
A 1976 Antonov An-24 crashed in Russia’s Amur region on Thursday with 49 people on board, all feared dead. Authorities are investigating possible causes of the crash.
July 24, 2025 Hour: 5:19 am
An Antonov An-24 aircraft crashed near the remote town of Tynda in Russia’s Far East on Thursday, with all 49 people on board feared dead, according to local authorities.
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The An-24, a twin-turboprop aircraft built in 1976, was operated by Angara Airlines, a regional carrier based in Siberia. It was on a domestic route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda, a roughly 570-kilometer flight across the Amur region, which borders China.
The plane disappeared from radar as it approached its destination early Thursday morning. Amur Regional Governor Vasily Orlov confirmed that 43 passengers—including five children—and six crew members were aboard.
Debris from the aircraft was located about 15 kilometers from Tynda, in a forested, hilly area. A Mi-8 helicopter from Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rossaviatsiya) spotted the wreckage from the air. “During the search operation, a Mi-8 helicopter belonging to Rossaviatsiya discovered the fuselage of the aircraft, which was on fire,” emergency official Yuliya Petina stated via Telegram.
Rescue teams were immediately deployed, but reaching the crash site has been difficult due to the dense terrain and remote location. Unverified footage circulating on social media—apparently filmed from a helicopter—appeared to show the remains of the aircraft engulfed in flames amid thick forest. Authorities have not officially commented on the authenticity of the video.
The An-24 model, developed in the 1950s and widely used during the Soviet era, remains in limited commercial use in Russia’s more isolated regions. While more than 1,000 units were produced over several decades, many are now considered outdated.
Initial reports from Russia’s emergency ministry suggested a slightly lower number of people on board, but regional officials maintain that 49 individuals were likely on the flight. No survivors have been reported.
The crash has reignited debate over the continued use of aging Soviet-era aircraft on Russia’s regional routes. An official investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the disaster, including the possibility of mechanical failure, human error, or environmental factors.
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Author: MK
Source: RT - Reuters
