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Russian Passenger Plane Crashes in Far East, Killing All 49 On Board
A Russian passenger aircraft carrying 49 people has crashed in the Amur region of the country’s Far East, killing all passengers and crew, according to local authorities.
The Antonov An-24 twin turboprop plane, operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines, disappeared from radar while approaching the town of Tynda on Thursday. It was later found to have crashed on a hillside approximately 15 kilometres from its destination, with aerial search teams locating the burning wreckage during the early hours of the day.
“There are no survivors,” local officials confirmed following the discovery of the fuselage. The aircraft was en route from Blagoveshchensk, a city located near the Russian-Chinese border, when it encountered difficulty during its final approach and was forced to attempt a second landing, according to air traffic controllers.
Regional governor Vasily Orlov stated that initial data indicated 43 passengers — including five children — and six crew members were on board the flight. “All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane,” he said in a statement posted on Telegram.
However, Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry later reported that 48 people were on board. The reason for the discrepancy in the numbers has not been clarified.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and a formal investigation has been launched. Russian aviation authorities and crash specialists are expected to examine flight data, weather conditions, and the aircraft’s maintenance records in the coming days.
The Antonov An-24 is a Soviet-era aircraft model that has been in service since the 1960s. Although many of these planes have been retired globally, they continue to operate in remote parts of Russia and Central Asia, particularly on regional routes with limited airport infrastructure.
Air safety in Russia has long faced scrutiny, particularly in remote areas where older aircraft are still in use. The Angara Airlines fleet primarily services Siberian destinations and remote towns, where aviation is often the only reliable mode of transport due to vast distances and harsh terrain.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet commented on the tragedy, but a national day of mourning may be declared once the full circumstances of the incident are confirmed. Rescue and recovery operations are continuing in the region, while families of the victims await official identification and support.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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