MOSCOW — At least 17 people were found dead Sunday at the crash site of a helicopter that went missing a day earlier in Russia's far eastern Kamchatka region, according to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The ministry stated on Telegram that rescuers have reached the crash site and are continuing their search efforts, with nine members of the search and rescue team currently on the scene.

The civilian Mi-8 helicopter, carrying 22 people, disappeared on Saturday while traveling from the Vachkajec volcano in southern Kamchatka to the village of Nikolayevka.

The search for the remaining passengers is ongoing as rescue teams work under challenging conditions in the remote area. — Agencies