Russian authorities have launched an extensive search operation after a Mi-8 helicopter carrying 22 people, including 19 tourists, went missing in the remote Kamchatka peninsula in Russia’s Far East on Saturday.
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov announced in a video statement posted on Telegram that contact with the helicopter was lost at approximately 4:15 p.m. local time (0415 GMT). “Today at about 16:15 communication was lost with a Mi-8 helicopter…which had 22 people on board, 19 passengers and three crew members,” Solodov said.
The helicopter had departed from an area near the Vachkazhets ancient volcano, a popular tourist destination known for its stunning landscapes and active volcanoes. According to a source in the emergency services who spoke to TASS news agency, the aircraft disappeared from radar almost immediately after takeoff, with the crew not reporting any issues prior to losing contact.
Russian authorities have mobilized rescue teams in helicopters to search for the missing aircraft. The search efforts are focusing on a river valley that the helicopter was scheduled to fly along. As night fell, the operation continued despite challenging conditions.
The Mi-8 is a Soviet-designed military helicopter that is widely used for civilian transport in Russia, particularly in remote and rugged regions like Kamchatka. The versatile aircraft has been a workhorse in Russian aviation for decades, but its safety record has come under scrutiny in recent years.
Local weather services reported poor visibility in the area of the airport at the time of the incident, which could have contributed to the helicopter’s disappearance. The Kamchatka peninsula is known for its unpredictable weather patterns and challenging flying conditions.
This incident is the latest in a series of aviation accidents in Russia’s Far East, a vast and sparsely populated region where air travel is often the only means of transportation. The area’s harsh weather and rugged terrain pose significant challenges for pilots and search and rescue operations.
In August 2021, a similar incident occurred when a Mi-8 helicopter carrying 16 people, including 13 tourists, crashed into a lake in Kamchatka due to poor visibility, resulting in eight fatalities. Just a month earlier, in July 2021, a plane crash during landing on the peninsula claimed the lives of all 28 people on board.
As the search for the missing helicopter continues, officials are urging patience and caution. Governor Solodov assured the public that all available resources are being utilized in the search effort, and updates will be provided as the situation develops.
