In Russia’s Far East, rescue operations have tragically concluded with the confirmation that none of the 22 individuals aboard a missing helicopter survived. The aircraft, which had taken off from a base near the Vachkazhets volcano in Kamchatka—a popular tourist destination for its volcanic scenery—went down on Saturday.
On Sunday, rescue teams found the wreckage of the helicopter and recovered 17 bodies. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, but authorities are diligently working to uncover what happened.
The region, known for its sparse population and harsh climate, has a troubling history of aircraft accidents. This latest incident involves a Mi-8T helicopter carrying 19 tourists and three crew members, which disappeared from radar on Saturday and was found severely damaged the following morning.
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov confirmed via Telegram that the wreckage was discovered in a rugged, hilly area. Footage from Russia’s Emergencies Ministry showed debris scattered near a slope on a densely wooded hill, matching the last known radar contact point.
Ivan Lemikhov, a senior official with Russia’s Emergency Ministry, reported that 17 bodies have been recovered from the crash site. As daylight waned, search operations for the remaining missing individuals were temporarily halted, with plans to resume at first light on Monday.
Preliminary reports from Russia’s Interfax news agency suggest that pilot error, potentially influenced by dense fog, may have been a significant factor in the crash. Officials also noted that the thick fog had greatly hampered rescue efforts.
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