A Russian helicopter carrying 22 people, including a crew of three and 19 passengers, has gone missing in the remote Far East region of the country.
The Mi-8 model helicopter took off near the Vachkazhets Volcano in the Kamchatka region but failed to reach its intended destination, according to a statement from Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency.
The agency confirmed that the Mi-8 helicopter, a twin-engine aircraft designed in the 1960s, was carrying 19 passengers along with three crew members.
The search for the missing helicopter is ongoing, with authorities working to locate the aircraft and determine the fate of those on board.
The Mi-8 is one of the most widely used helicopters in the world, with a long history of service in Russia and beyond. Initially designed in the Soviet Union, it became operational in the 1960s and has since been utilized for a variety of purposes, including military, civilian, and emergency operations.
Its versatility and reliability have made it a workhorse for many countries, especially in challenging terrains like those found in Russia’s Far East.
However, the Mi-8 also has a record of accidents, particularly in Russia’s vast and often harsh environments, where difficult weather conditions and rugged landscapes can pose significant challenges for pilots.
In recent years, there have been several high-profile incidents involving Mi-8 helicopters, raising concerns about safety standards and maintenance practices in some regions.
The Kamchatka Peninsula, where the helicopter went missing, is known for its rugged terrain, active volcanoes, and extreme weather conditions.
The region is sparsely populated and often difficult to access, making search and rescue operations particularly challenging.
The area around the Vachkazhets Volcano, where the helicopter was last reported, is popular with tourists for its natural beauty, but the remoteness and unpredictability of the environment can turn routine flights into dangerous missions.
