Civilian helicopter with 22 people goes missing in Eastern Russia, search underway

More than 40 rescue personnel are on the ground in Kamchatka searching for a TA civilian Mi-8 helicopter with 22 people on board that disappeared on Saturday.

The missing aircraft, which was carrying tourists, was traveling from the Vachkajec volcano in the southern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula to the village of Nikolayevka further east — a distance of about 25 kilometers (about 15.5 miles), he Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviation) said in a statement.

"A search is underway for the Vityaz-Aero Mi-8T helicopter in the Kamchatka territory ... According to preliminary data, there were 22 people on board the helicopter," it said, adding that it was carrying three crew members and 19 passengers.

Another aircraft took off in search of the helicopter, with another Mi-8 helicopter and a ground rescue team prepared to head along its route.

The search operation is ongoing as authorities strive to locate the aircraft, which disappeared under unclear circumstances.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations has mobilised significant resources to aid in the recovery effort.