Debris of plane with 50 people found in Russia’s far east: Interfax

Local emergencies ministry says the plane dropped off radar near the Amur region, bordering China.

Debris of a Russian passenger plane carrying about 50 people has been found in Russia’s far east, news agency Interfax has said.

The local emergencies ministry said the An-24 plane, operated by a Siberia-based airline called Angara, dropped off radar screens while approaching its destination of Tynda, a town in the Amur region bordering China, on Wednesday.

Regional Governor Vasily Orlov said that, according to preliminary data, there were 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on board.

“All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane,” he wrote on Telegram.

The emergencies ministry put the number of people on board somewhat lower, at about 40.