An Azerbaijani passenger plane tragically crashed on Wednesday near Aktau, Kazakhstan, leaving 38 dead out of the 67 people onboard, which included 62 passengers and five crew members. The incident involved the Embraer 190 aircraft, which was attempting to make an emergency landing after experiencing a bird strike, as reported by Azerbaijan Airlines.
Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbaev confirmed the figures while discussing the event with Azerbaijani officials. The aircraft was initially scheduled to fly from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, but had to divert due to poor weather conditions in Grozny. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev mentioned that it was too soon to determine the precise cause of the crash, but acknowledged the adverse weather that led to its reroute.
Rescue operations began promptly, with initial reports from Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry showing a fluctuating number of survivors, which was eventually updated to 29 as rescuers progressed through the wreckage. Among those killed were the pilots, and the deceased included a mix of Azerbaijani, Russian, Kazakh, and Kyrgyzstan nationals.
The investigation into the crash is underway, focusing on potential technical issues and the reported “strong GPS jamming” experienced by the aircraft before the incident. Footage from the crash site revealed alarming scenes, including survivors helping fellow passengers escape from the wreckage. Response teams worked to extinguish the fire and assess the damage.
In light of this tragedy, Azerbaijan Airlines has committed to suspending certain flight routes and promising regular updates regarding the investigation. President Aliyev returned to Azerbaijan upon learning of the crash and expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, declaring December 26 a day of mourning.
As the situation develops, there remains a glimmer of hope in the response to the crisis, with the community coming together to support those affected and the ongoing investigations aiming to unveil the reasons behind this heart-wrenching event.
This crash serves as a reminder of the inherent risks in aviation and highlights the importance of thorough and immediate investigations to improve safety standards. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected during this difficult time.