Russian helicopter pilot makes emergency landing on Kamchatka volcano and dies shortly after

A helicopter carrying a group of tourists made an emergency landing on the Krasheninnikov Volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Friday after the pilot fell ill during the flight, TASS reported, citing Russia’s Investigative Committee. The pilot died shortly after landing.

A law enforcement source told RBC that the helicopter’s owner and pilot was Igor Kan, a local fisherman and businessman — a detail also reported by the Telegram channel 112.

According to Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry, the pilot suffered a heart attack mid-flight but managed to bring the aircraft down at the foot of the volcano. Medical help did not arrive in time to save him.

All six tourists on board were safely evacuated to the town of Yelizovo by rescue workers aboard a Mi-8 helicopter.