A Russian plane carrying almost 50 people crashed in the country’s far east on Thursday. It was an old Antonov An-24, nearly 50 years old, flying from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda.
The plane went off the radar just before landing near Tynda, a small town in the Amur region near China. Officials now fear that all 49 people on board may have died.
What Happened?
This Russian plane was operated by Angara Airlines, based in Siberia. The aircraft took off normally but vanished from radar as it neared its destination. A search helicopter later spotted the burning wreckage deep inside a thick forest.
According to emergency officials, the plane’s fuselage was found burning on a hill about 15 km from Tynda. The area is remote, making it hard for rescue teams to reach quickly. But efforts are still ongoing.
Yuliya Petina from Russia’s emergency services said on Telegram that a Mi-8 helicopter discovered the crash site and rescuers are heading there now.
Who Was On Board?
Vasily Orlov, the governor of the region, said that 43 passengers were on the flight, including five children. There were also six crew members. Another report from the emergency ministry said the total number of people on board may be slightly lower, around 40.
The crash is a tragedy for many families, especially those in small towns where every person counts. Social media is now filled with messages from worried relatives and friends.
The Antonov An-24 is a Soviet-era plane. This one was built in 1976. Though still in use by some regional airlines, many experts have long raised concerns about these aging planes.
Videos shared online seem to show the plane crashed in a dense forest. The footage, shot from a helicopter, shows smoke rising from the crash site. But these videos have not been confirmed yet.
An-24 crash site in Russia’s Far East seen from helicopter — social media footage
49 on board, including 5 children and 6 crew — no survivors reported
Malfunction or human error considered as possible causes https://t.co/pLMgFY7kBG pic.twitter.com/rU5VWLOnXH
— RT (@RT_com) July 24, 2025
Investigation Underway
Russian authorities have started an investigation into the cause of the crash. Many questions are being asked about the condition of the aircraft and the safety checks done before take-off.
For now, families can only wait for official confirmation. Meanwhile, the country is again reminded of the dangers of flying old aircraft in difficult weather and terrain.
(This is a developing story. Stay tuned for more updates.)
