Russian Helicopter with 22 on Board Goes Missing Near Kamchatka Volcano

A Russian Mi-8T helicopter carrying 22 people, including 19 passengers and three crew members, has gone missing near the Vachkazhets volcano in Russia’s Far East Kamchatka peninsula. According to Kamchatka Krai governor Vladimir Solodov, the helicopter disappeared during a flight from the volcano region to the village of Nikolaevka on Saturday.

Adverse weather conditions, including low visibility, fog, and drizzle, were reported at the time of the flight, though the crew did not report any technical malfunctions before contact was lost. Russian state media TASS noted that the helicopter was flying over the Bystraya River valley when it vanished from radar.

Following the incident, search and rescue operations were swiftly launched, with another helicopter scanning the last known location of the missing aircraft. Ground teams were also dispatched to comb the area, particularly focusing on the Bystraya River valley. Despite poor weather and nighttime conditions, the search effort continued into Saturday evening.

Kamchatka’s investigative transport department has opened an inquiry into possible violations of aviation safety protocols, as officials work to determine the cause of the disappearance.