A passenger aircraft operated by Angara Airlines has vanished over Russia's Far East, triggering a large-scale search operation. The AN-24 plane, carrying 28 people including crew, disappeared from radar screens during a scheduled flight from Kirensk to Irkutsk.
Key details:
- The twin-engine turboprop vanished approximately 30 minutes after takeoff
- Search teams are battling difficult terrain and poor visibility
- No distress signals were received before the disappearance
- The aircraft was reportedly in good technical condition
Search efforts underway
Emergency services have deployed multiple teams to the suspected crash area near the Angara River. Helicopters and ground crews are combing through dense taiga forests where the plane may have gone down.
"The search operation is complicated by low clouds and limited visibility," a rescue service spokesperson stated. "We're using all available resources to locate the aircraft."
Passenger manifest
Authorities have confirmed the plane was carrying:
- 22 passengers
- 6 crew members
- No reports of children on board
The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case to determine whether safety regulations were violated. Aviation experts suggest possible causes could include technical failure or severe weather conditions.
