Russia: plane with 28 people aboard goes missing in Kamchatka

SANAA, Jul. 06 (YPA) – A Russian An-26 plane en route from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Palana has gone missing in Kamchatka, prompting an emergency alert, the regional government said in an official statement.

According to preliminary reports, the aircraft didn’t respond in time to a planned communication session, Sputnik reported.

“All the emergency services were alerted and sent to examine the plane’s route. Two helicopters and a special aircraft are investigating the area. Rescue troops are ready to move from Palana to the aircraft’s detection point”, according to the statement.

Per preliminary data from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, there are 22 passengers on board the aircraft, including one child, and six crew members. At the same time, the government of the Kamchatka Territory said there were six crew members and 21 passengers on board, including two children under 12 years old.

A helicopter and troops from the Russian Emergencies Ministry are preparing for a search and rescue operation”, a representative of the emergency services said.

E.M