LONDON — A passenger plane carrying dozens of people was reported missing Thursday morning in Russia’s far eastern Amur region, the local governor said.
The Russian news agency Interfax reported that the plane’s wreckage had been found around nine miles from its intended destination in the town of Tynda, having traveled from the regional hub of Blagoveshchensk some 360 miles away.
Gov. Vasily Orlov said in a post to Telegram that the An-24 aircraft was carrying 43 passengers and six crew when it vanished from radar. Five children were among the passengers, he said.
“According to operational services, today, the AN-24 passenger plane, which was flying from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda, disappeared from the radar,” he posted. “All necessary forces and resources are being deployed to search for the plane.”
Artem Korenyako — a spokesperson for Russia’s federal aviation agency Rosaviatsiya — wrote on Telegram that a search and rescue helicopter “discovered a burning fuselage.” He added, “Rescuers are heading to the scene.”
Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations also reported the discovery of burning wreckage in a post to Telegram.
More than 50 people and 10 pieces of equipment were deployed in search and rescue efforts, the ministry said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
