Russian Plane With 50 Onboard Goes Missing Near China Border, Search Underway

Moscow, July 24, 2025: A Russian passenger plane carrying 50 people, including children and crew members, has gone missing in the eastern Amur region near the border with China, according to officials and media reports. The aircraft, an Antonov An-24 operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines, reportedly dropped off radar just a few kilometres from its destination—Tynda Airport. The incident occurred while the aircraft was on approach to Tynda, a remote town located in the Russian Far East. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane at a designated checkpoint close to the airport. The cause of the disappearance is still unknown, and a massive search and rescue operation has been launched in the area. Regional governor Vasily Orlov confirmed the development in a Telegram post. “According to preliminary information, there were 43 passengers on board, including five children, as well as six crew members,” Orlov stated. He added, “All necessary forces and resources have been deployed to search for the aircraft.” The Ministry of Emergency Situations also confirmed the plane had vanished from radar screens during the final phase of its flight. Ground search teams, aviation units, and rescue forces have been mobilized to the area, but challenging terrain and weather conditions may hinder immediate progress. The Amur region is heavily forested and mountainous in parts, making aerial and ground searches complex. Russian news agency TASS cited a source as saying, “An An-24 operated by Angara Airlines failed to make contact at a designated checkpoint a few kilometres from Tynda Airport. Communication was lost during the approach phase.” No emergency signals were reportedly received from the aircraft before contact was lost. The aircraft type, the An-24, is a twin-engine turboprop developed during the Soviet era and widely used for regional flights across Russia’s vast and often harsh terrain. While the plane has a long history of service, it has seen multiple safety concerns over the years, especially in remote regions where infrastructure and weather can add significant operational risks. Angara Airlines, based in Irkutsk, operates regional routes across Siberia and the Russian Far East. The airline has not issued an official statement yet, but sources say its operational and technical teams are cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation. This incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation safety in Russia, particularly in its far-flung territories where air travel is essential due to the lack of road or rail connectivity. Aviation experts say the next few hours will be critical for locating the aircraft and determining the safety of those on board. As of now, there are no confirmed sightings of the plane, and authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation. Updates are expected as search efforts continue. Families of the passengers have been notified, and support teams are being dispatched to assist them. Russian Plane With 50 People Onboard Goes Missing Near China Border An An-24 passenger plane operated by Angara Airlines vanished just kilometers from Tynda Airport in Russia's Amur region. The flight was carrying 43 passengers including 5 children and 6 crew members. No contact or distress signal was received. A massive search and rescue operation is underway in the rugged, forested terrain near the China border. Prayers for all on board. #RussiaPlaneMissing #BreakingNews #AngaraAirlines #AmurRegion #Tynda #An24 #PlaneMissing #AviationNews #SearchAndRescue #EmergencyUpdate #RussiaNews #FlightAlert #GlobalNews #AirDisaster #StaySafe