Russian plane crashes with 49 people on board, all feared dead

A passenger plane carrying about 49 passengers and crew members has crashed in Russia’s Far East. The plane was heading to the city of Tynda in the Amur region, bordering China. Local authorities said rescue operations were underway at the scene; but no survivors have yet been found. An Antonov-24 aircraft operated by Russia’s Angara Airlines is said to have been in service for about 50 years. This old plane has a history of various technical problems, according to the British news agency Reuters. It is believed that the plane disappeared from radar before landing in Tynda. No survivors were found during aerial searches, but ground operations are still underway. “All necessary rescue forces have been deployed,” Amur Region Governor Vasily Orlov said in a telegram. Russia’s Emergencies Ministry initially said the number of passengers was 40, but later revised that figure. Video released by local media in Russia showed smoke and flames in a dense forest, indicating a possible crash site. The Antonov-24 is a Soviet-era turboprop aircraft, built in the 1960s and 1970s. Some of the older aircraft are still in service in Russia and some former Soviet countries, although many are still considered safety hazards. In recent years, Angara Airlines has suffered engine problems, landing gear failures and emergency landings. The incident has raised questions about the aircraft’s old condition and maintenance. Such old aircraft are still in use in Russia, where they often cause accidents.