Russian Helicopter with 22 Onboard Goes Missing Near Kamchatka Volcano

A Russian Mi-8T helicopter carrying 22 people, including 19 passengers and three crew members, has gone missing near the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka peninsula, Far East Russia.

The helicopter, which was en route to the village of Nikolaevka, disappeared on Saturday amidst low visibility, drizzle, and fog, according to Kamchatka Krai governor Vladimir Solodov.

Despite no reported malfunctions before its disappearance, the helicopter's last known location was over the Bystraya River valley.

Search efforts, including aerial and ground teams, are ongoing, but poor weather conditions have hampered progress. Kamchatka's investigative department for transport has launched an inquiry into potential safety violations concerning air transport operations.