Chopper with 22 people on board goes missing in Russia

A Russian Mi-8 helicopter with 22 people on board has gone missing in the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, Russian state media reported on Saturday (August 31).

According to Tass, the aircraft belongs to the Vityaz-Aero airline which organizes tourist trips on the peninsula, and disappeared during a visit to the Vachkazhets volcano.

A spokesperson for the airline initially confirmed three crew members were on board, and another of its helicopters was conducting a search.

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency later reported 22 people were on board the missing helicopter.

The Investigative Committee for Transport has launched an investigation.

(With inputs from agencies)