Rescue teams are actively searching for a Mi-8 helicopter that went missing in Russia’s far east on Saturday. The helicopter, carrying 22 individuals, lost contact after taking off near the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka region.

According to Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, the helicopter, which was scheduled to reach a specific destination, failed to arrive as planned. The aircraft was reported to have 19 passengers and three crew members on board.

The Mi-8, a twin-engine helicopter first designed in the 1960s, is commonly used in Russia and several other countries. Unfortunately, the helicopter model has seen a number of crashes over the years.

The Investigative Committee for Transport has initiated an investigation into the incident. The Russian aviation sector has been significantly impacted by Western sanctions imposed in response to the Ukraine conflict. These sanctions include restrictions on Russian airlines using EU airspace and the export of aviation technology, which has affected the availability of parts and maintenance for Russian aircraft.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry had previously lodged a complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), asserting that the sanctions posed a threat to international aviation safety.

BREAKING! Tragic Helicopter Crash in Kedarnath During Airlift Operation

BREAKING! Helicopter Crash in Pune: Four People on Board Amid Heavy Rain