Search Underway for Missing Helicopter in Russia's Far East

Rescuers are in search of a Mi-8 helicopter that went missing in Russia's Kamchatka region with 22 people on board. The helicopter took off near the Vachkazhets volcano but did not reach its intended destination. The Mi-8 is a widely used two-engine helicopter designed in the 1960s.

Rescuers are searching for a helicopter that went missing in Russia's far east on Saturday with 22 people on board.

The Mi-8 helicopter took off close to the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka region, but did not arrive at its destination as scheduled, according to Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency.

The agency stated that it believed 19 passengers and three crew members were on board.

The Mi-8 is a two-engine helicopter designed in the 1960s. It is widely used in Russia, where crashes have been frequent, as well as in neighbouring countries and many other nations.

(With inputs from agencies.)