A helicopter with 22 passengers has gone missing in Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula, with rescue teams searching into the night for the aircraft that lost communication at 04:15 GMT. The Mi-8 helicopter had picked up passengers near the Vachkajec ancient volcano in a scenic area of the peninsula known for its wild landscapes. The helicopter was travelling to the village of Nikolayevka, about 15.5 miles away, when it disappeared from radar almost immediately after takeoff, with the crew not reporting any problems.
Accidents involving planes and helicopters are frequent in the region due to harsh weather and poor visibility. In August 2021, an Mi-8 helicopter crashed into a lake in Kamchatka, killing eight. In July that year, a plane crashed on the peninsula, killing all 22 passengers and six crew members on board.
Authorities have not provided any further updates on the missing helicopter, with Governor Vladimir Solodov stating that rescue efforts are ongoing. The Mi-8 helicopter, widely used in Russia, has a history of frequent crashes. The local weather service reported poor visibility in the area of the airport at the time of the incident.
Families and loved ones of the passengers onboard the missing helicopter are anxiously awaiting any updates on the search and rescue operations. More information is expected to be released as the investigation into the incident progresses.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com