MOSCOW — A civilian Mi-8 helicopter carrying 22 people, including tourists, disappeared in the far eastern Kamchatka region, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviation) reported on Saturday.

The helicopter, operated by Vityaz-Aero, was traveling from the Vachkajec volcano in southern Kamchatka to the village of Nikolayevka, a distance of about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles), when it went missing.

"A search is underway for the Vityaz-Aero Mi-8T helicopter in the Kamchatka territory," the agency said, noting that the aircraft had three crew members and 19 passengers on board.

Search efforts have commenced, with another aircraft already in the air looking for the missing helicopter. Additionally, another Mi-8 helicopter and a ground rescue team are on standby to follow the intended route of the missing aircraft. — Agencies