Credited from: CBSNEWS
A Russian Antonov An-24 passenger plane, carrying 48 people, crashed in the remote Amur region on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of everyone onboard. The plane was heading to Tynda from Blagoveshchensk when it lost contact with air traffic control during a second landing attempt, according to the regional governor, Vasily Orlov. Adverse weather conditions were reported at the time of the incident, making the search and rescue efforts particularly challenging, as rescuers needed to navigate through thick forest terrain to reach the crash site, roughly 15 km south of Tynda, where only the burning fuselage was discovered, as stated by the Emergency Situations Ministry and supported by BBC, Newsweek, and CBS News.
The Antonov An-24, nearly 50 years old, was operated by Angara Airlines, known for its service in remote areas. Initial assessments indicated that there were 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members onboard; however, conflicting reports have surfaced regarding the number of individuals on the flight, with official sources citing figures ranging from 40 to 49, according to Reuters and Los Angeles Times.
In the aftermath of the crash, regional authorities have announced a thorough investigation, particularly focusing on potential violations of air transport rules that could have led to this tragedy. The transport prosecutor's office launched a case to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Russian aviation has faced scrutiny in recent years due to frequent accidents, exacerbated by international sanctions affecting access to modern aircraft and parts, as noted by India Times and Dawn.