Helicopter with 22 Aboard, Mostly Tourists, Disappears in Russia’s Kamchatka
A Mi-8 helicopter carrying 22 people, including 19 tourists, went missing on Saturday in Russia’s remote Kamchatka peninsula, local authorities confirmed. The helicopter lost communication with air traffic control around 4:15 p.m. local time, shortly after takeoff.
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov announced in a video on Telegram that search efforts are underway, with rescue teams scouring the region, focusing on a river valley that was part of the helicopter’s flight path. Nightfall and thick fog have complicated the operation, according to Russia’s emergency services.
The Mi-8, a Soviet-era military helicopter commonly used for transport, had been flying near the Vachkazhets volcano, a popular tourist area known for its dramatic landscapes, including rivers, geysers, and active volcanoes. The aircraft disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff, with no distress signals reported by the crew.
Kamchatka’s harsh weather and rugged terrain are notorious for causing aviation accidents. Poor visibility was reported in the area, which could have played a role in the helicopter’s disappearance. Local authorities are bracing for a challenging rescue mission, reminiscent of a 2021 crash when a Mi-8 helicopter, carrying tourists, crashed into a lake in similar conditions, killing eight people.
This incident comes as another reminder of the dangers that frequent the region, where accidents involving planes and helicopters are all too common due to unpredictable weather and difficult flying conditions.
