Russian rescuers find all 22 bodies in helicopter crash in Kamchatka

VLADIVOSTOK - The bodies of all 22 victims in a Mi-8 helicopter crash in Russia's Kamchatka region have been found, local officials said on Monday.

"The bodies of the deceased have been found and handed over to forensic authorities. The search and rescue operation has been completed," Minister for Emergency Situations of the Kamchatka region Sergei Lebedev said on social media.

"The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations helicopter will pick up the rescuers from the crash site of the Mi-8 operated by Vityaz-Aero in half an hour," he wrote.

The wreckage of the Mi-8 helicopter, which disappeared from radar on Saturday, was found on Sunday in the Vachkazhets mountain range area in Kamchatka. There were three crew members and 19 passengers on board.

Authorities have declared Tuesday a day of mourning in Kamchatka.