Rescuers are searching for a helicopter that went missing in Russia’s far east on Saturday with 22 people on board.

The Mi-8 helicopter took off close to the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka region, but did not arrive at its destination as scheduled, Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency said in a statement.

It said it believed that 19 passengers and three crew members were on board.

The Mi-8 is a two-engine helicopter designed in the 1960s. It is widely used in Russia, where crashes have been frequent, as well as in neighboring countries and many other nations.

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What's in store with the weather ... Exploring LI's complex web of transit options ... Out East: Critterville Farm Sanctuary Credit: Newsday

Newsday Investigates: Girl was absent, late in half the school days in months before death ... Families left with uncertainty after Nepal ends flood rescue ... This surprise for a little boy doesn't stink! ... Let's Go: Catskill Mountain Railroad

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