Russia – All passengers aboard a Russian passenger plane that vanished from radar during a Thursday flight in the Far East’s Amur region have been confirmed dead, officials reported following the discovery of the crash site.

The Antonov An-24’s wreckage was located, according to the Emergency Situations Ministry via Telegram. A helicopter from the Federal Air Transport Agency spotted the burning fuselage during the search operation. Preliminary data indicates that 43 passengers — including five children — and six crew members were on board.

“Rescuers are heading to the scene,” the statement said, noting that a hotline has been set up in the region, which borders China’s northeastern Heilongjiang province.

Amur Governor Vasily Orlov confirmed the aircraft was en route from Blagoveshchensk, the regional administrative centre, to Tynda when it disappeared.

State news agency TASS, citing the Amur Center for Civil Defense and Fire Safety, reported that the wreckage was found on a mountainside roughly 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Tynda.

“According to preliminary information, everyone died,” TASS stated, quoting emergency services and highlighting that access to the crash site remains difficult.

-Agencies