Russian Helicopter Goes Missing Over Kamchatka Peninsula

A Russian helicopter with 22 individuals on board has gone missing in Kamchatka. The Mi-8T helicopter departed from near the Vachkazhets volcano but failed to report at its scheduled time. The search and rescue operation is hindered by thick fog in the region, complicating efforts.

A Russian helicopter with three crew members and 19 passengers on board has gone missing in the far eastern peninsula of Kamchatka, the emergencies ministry said on Saturday.

The Mi-8T helicopter took off from a base near the Vachkazhets volcano and the crew failed to report at the scheduled time of 04:00 GMT, Interfax news agency reported, citing the federal air transport agency. The emergencies ministry said the search and rescue operation was being hampered by thick fog in the area.

Kamchatka, which is nine hours ahead of Moscow, is a popular tourist destination, known for its pristine rivers, geysers and volcanoes.

(With inputs from agencies.)