At least 38 people have died, and 29 others were injured following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger aircraft near Kazakhstan’s Aktau Airport, close to the Caspian Sea, early Wednesday morning. The tragic incident has sparked an international response, with rescue and investigation teams working around the clock.
Crash Details and Initial Reports
The flight, originating from Baku, Azerbaijan, was en route to Grozny, Russia. Due to heavy fog in Grozny, the aircraft was rerouted to Aktau in Kazakhstan, according to the country’s Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed that the plane was carrying 69 individuals, including 64 passengers and five crew members. Among the passengers, 37 were Azerbaijani citizens, six were from Kazakhstan, three from Kyrgyzstan, and 16 from Russia. Tragically, 38 lives were lost, while 29 passengers survived, many of whom are hospitalized, including two children. The deputy health minister reported that several survivors remain in critical condition.
Possible Cause of the Crash
Preliminary investigations suggest that a bird strike may have caused engine failure, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. Officials are still gathering data to confirm the exact cause.
Emergency response teams, including 432 workers, 79 vehicles, and 10 canine units, were deployed to the crash site. Specialized equipment and search dogs are aiding in recovery efforts. “The list of dead and injured is being finalized,” the Ministry of Emergency Situations stated on Telegram.
International Collaboration
Authorities from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia have launched a joint investigation into the crash. Embraer, the Brazilian manufacturer of the aircraft, released a statement expressing their commitment to supporting the investigation and monitoring the situation closely.
Maj. Gen. Chingis Arinov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Emergency Situations, confirmed that local emergency teams are fully cooperating with the international investigation team to uncover the details of the crash.
Emergency Response
Rescue operations have continued tirelessly, with drones capturing aerial views of the crash site. Rescuers are utilizing specialized equipment to locate victims and gather debris for analysis. The Ministry of Emergency Situations emphasized that the recovery and investigation efforts will persist until all necessary work is completed.
Leadership Response
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev canceled his attendance at the Commonwealth of Independent States meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, in light of the tragedy. In a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, both leaders expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also dispatched a team from Russia’s Emergencies Ministry to Aktau, equipped with medical personnel and essential equipment to assist in the ongoing response efforts.
Manufacturer Statement
Embraer, the company behind the aircraft, stated: “We are closely monitoring the situation, and we remain fully committed to supporting the relevant authorities.”
Moving Forward
The crash has left a profound impact on the international community, with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia mourning the loss of their citizens. Investigators continue to work diligently to uncover the circumstances that led to this tragic event, as families of the victims await answers.
As rescue teams finalize recovery efforts and aviation authorities analyze the data, the world extends its condolences to those affected by the devastating crash near Aktau.