The Ministry of Emergency Situations said: ‘During the search operations, the Mi-8 helicopter of the Federal Air Transport Agency discovered the fuselage of the plane, which is on fire.

‘Rescuers continue to proceed to the scene of the incident.’

A search party was forced to go out on foot after a rescue helicopter was unable to land near the site, with footage showing an Mi-8 rescue aircraft flying above the rural area.

The An-24 passenger plane crash flying Khabarovsk-Ignatyevo-Tynda route, Russia locator map (Picture: Metro)

The plane was just a few miles away from its destination when it lost contact and dropped off radar screens.

Regional governor Vasily Orlov said there were 43 passengers, including five children and six crew members, on board.

He wrote on Telegram: ‘All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane.’

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