Russia plane crash LIVE: Wreckage found as rescuers search for survivors

3 mins ago09:06 Grace Piercy

11 mins ago08:58 Grace Piercy

So far only an aerial inspection of the crash site has been possible, and survivors were not seen.

A 25-strong rescue team is on an hour-long trek to the scene, according to state news outlet Ria Novosti.

More than 50 people and 10 units of equipment are involved in the search for the aircraft, the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported.

16 mins ago08:53 Grace Piercy

22 mins ago08:47 Grace Piercy

Footage showed the plane shortly before it crashed in eastern Russia when it appeared to be flying normally, but low, with light rain in the area.

A separate video from rescuers showed the smoking wreckage among thick trees at the remote crash site.

Debris was burning and smoke rising from the site.There were no immediate signs of survivors from aerial observation.

27 mins ago08:42 Grace Piercy

The wreckage of the doomed aircraft has now been found around 10 miles from its destination.

Local media reported the development citing emergency services.

32 mins ago08:37 Grace Piercy

The An-24 turboprop aircraft, which is operated by Angara Airlines, fell off radar close to Tynda Airport in Amur, south east Russia.

As it reached its destination (Tynda), the pilot failed to check in and air traffic control lost all contact with the aircraft.

The plane was carrying 49 people. Six of them were crew members and another five of the passengers are said to be children. All are believed to have died in the crash.

38 mins ago08:31 Grace Piercy

Tynda in Russia (Image: Google)

43 mins ago08:26 Alice Scarsi

Initial reports from emergency services sugest no one survived the crash.

The RIA Novosti state news agency said it appears everyone on board lost their lives.

However, the rescue helicopter was reportedly unable to land at the mountainous site to confirm the fatalities.

48 mins ago08:21 Alice Scarsi

Ahead of reports of the finding of the wreckage, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations released a statement on the disappearance of the plane.

A spokesperson said: "Search underway for An-24 plane in Amur Region.

"In Amur Region, several kilometers from Tynda airport, an An-24 passenger plane of Angara Airlines disappeared from radar and failed to respond to contact.

"It was flying the Khabarovsk-Blagoveshchensk-Tynda route.

"Preliminary, there were about 40 people on board.Rescuers from the Russian Emergencies Ministry have been sent to the site to search. Further information is being clarified."

52 mins ago08:17 Alice Scarsi

The small An-24 aircraft that mysteriously vanished this morning was believed to have 49 people on board.

Five of them, reports say, were children.

57 mins ago08:12 Alice Scarsi