Tragedy struck a sightseeing tour in an isolated part of Russia’s Far East when a helicopter ferrying tourists crashed near a volcano, resulting in the death of all 22 individuals on board.
The accident occurred on Saturday, August 31, 2024, when a Mi-8 helicopter, flown by Vityaz-Aero, left from a spot near the Vachkazhets volcano in Kamchatka. This peninsula, famous for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife, was the last known location of the helicopter carrying 19 tourists and three crew members before it vanished from radar soon after departure.
Emergency services initiated a search and rescue mission, but their efforts were hindered by poor visibility and unfavorable weather conditions. “The crash site was discovered on Sunday morning (September 1) during a search operation,” the Russian state news outlet RIA Novosti reported, quoting local emergency officials.
The Kamchatka peninsula, situated roughly 4,400 miles east of Moscow, was hit by a cyclone during the same weekend, which brought strong winds and heavy rain. However, it is yet to be determined if this was the cause of the helicopter crash.
As word of the accident spread, loved ones of those onboard anxiously awaited updates. The Kamchatka unit of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry worked relentlessly to reach the crash site, located approximately 3,000 feet above sea level.
By Monday, September 2, Russian emergency officials confirmed the recovery of all 22 bodies from the crash site. This bleak news confirmed the worst fears of those awaiting information and extinguished any remaining hope for survivors.
The families of the deceased will receive a one-time compensation of roughly 3.3 million rubles. They will also be provided with free round-trip flights to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the region’s administrative hub. Vityaz-Aero, the company that operated the crashed helicopter, has agreed to cover the costs of transporting the victims’ bodies to their final resting places.
The Mi-8 helicopter, a mainstay of Russian aviation since the 1960s, has been extensively used in both military and civilian capacities. However, its safety record has raised concerns. The Aviation Safety Network reports that the aircraft has been involved in several accidents over the years, with a total of 4,506 fatalities recorded in their database.
The accident has led to questions about the safety of tourist flights in the region. Vityaz-Aero, the company behind the doomed flight, is one of the largest carriers in Kamchatka and a major contributor to the local tourism sector. The company’s website promotes tours to hot springs, active volcanoes, and nature parks.
However, this isn’t the first time Vityaz-Aero has been scrutinized for its safety protocols. In July 2021, a helicopter crash involving the company led to eight fatalities. Following this incident, Russian authorities temporarily suspended Vityaz-Aero’s passenger transport operations pending an investigation into potential flight safety rule violations.
The Kronotsky Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a major tourist attraction in the region, is heavily dependent on helicopter access. The reserve, which houses 25 volcanoes and the renowned Valley of Geysers, is a must-visit destination for adventure and nature lovers.
As the inquiry into the cause of the crash continues, focus has shifted towards the difficulties of operating in Kamchatka’s harsh terrain and unpredictable weather. The Russian Investigative Committee, the nation’s leading law enforcement body, has initiated an investigation into possible pilot error or technical malfunction as potential reasons for the accident.
Among the victims were a few notable individuals, including Arseniy Zamyatin, the financial director of the Russian Football Union, and his wife, as well as leaders of the Kamchatka Freeride Community.