Russian plane with around 50 onboard disappears near Chinese border

Air traffic controllers in Russia lost contact today with an An-24 passenger aircraft carrying approximately 50 people, according to a report by Reuters citing Russian news outlets Interfax and SHOT.

The plane, operated by Angara Airlines, was en route to Tynda, a town in the Amur region of Russia’s Far East, near the border with China. Reports suggest the aircraft went off radar just a few kilometers away from its destination, raising concerns about a possible crash or emergency.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the status of the plane or its passengers. Search and rescue operations are expected to be launched in the area, though no official statement has yet been released by Russian aviation or emergency services.

The incident raises fresh concerns over aviation safety in remote regions of Russia, where harsh weather and vast, rugged terrain often complicate air travel and rescue efforts.