Civilian helicopter goes missing in far eastern Russia with 22 people on board

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - A civilian Mi-8 helicopter with 22 people on board disappeared in the far eastern Kamchatka region, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviation) reported 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), the agency 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.