Helicopter Crash in Russian Far East Claims Lives of 22, No Survivors Found
Rescue operations in the Russian Far East have concluded with no survivors found in the wreckage of a helicopter that disappeared while carrying 22 individuals, predominantly tourists. The aircraft went missing on Saturday shortly after departing from a base close to the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka Peninsula. As of Sunday, 17 bodies have been recovered from the site.
The area is renowned as a tourist hotspot, famous for its active volcanoes and rugged landscapes. The exact cause of the helicopter crash remains under investigation.
Helicopter incidents are not uncommon in Russia’s Far East, a region characterized by its sparse population and extreme weather conditions. Notably, a similar tragedy occurred three years ago when a tourist helicopter crashed into a lake in Kamchatka, resulting in eight fatalities.
The Mi-8T helicopter that vanished from radar was reportedly carrying 19 tourists and three crew members. The wreckage was located on Sunday morning in a hilly terrain, as confirmed by Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov. Visual evidence, shared by the emergency ministry, shows debris scattered near a slope adjacent to a large wooded hill, close to the last known location of the aircraft.
Emergency ministry official Ivan Lemikhov stated that while 17 bodies have been recovered, the search efforts for those still unaccounted for have been temporarily halted and will resume at dawn on Monday. Preliminary reports suggest that pilot error may have contributed to the crash, potentially exacerbated by foggy conditions.
Officials previously noted that thick fog was obstructing rescue operations, complicating the recovery efforts. The aircraft was operated by a local company known for organizing tourist flights in the region. Despite its design originating from the Soviet era, the Mi-8 helicopter continues to be a prevalent choice in Russia’s aviation landscape.
