An Azerbaijani airliner crashed near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors, according to Kazakh official Kanat Bozumbaev. The Embraer 190 aircraft was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when it was diverted and attempted an emergency landing. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated it was too early to speculate on the cause of the crash but noted that weather conditions had forced the plane to change its course. Russia’s civil aviation authority suggested that a bird strike led to an emergency onboard, resulting in the diversion to Aktau.
The plane crash in Kazakhstan claimed the lives of 38 individuals, including 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyzstan nationals. Conflicting reports regarding the number of survivors were provided by Kazakh and Azerbaijani officials. Mobile phone footage showed the aircraft making a steep descent before crashing in a fireball, with part of the fuselage ripped away from the wings. Survivors were seen in videos dragging fellow passengers away from the wreckage. Flight-tracking data indicated erratic movements by the aircraft near the airport in Aktau, potentially due to GPS jamming.
Azerbaijan Airlines vowed to provide updates on the investigation into the crash and suspended flights between Baku and Grozny as well as Baku and Makhachkala until the probe is concluded. An official delegation from Azerbaijan was dispatched to Aktau to conduct an on-site investigation. Azerbaijani President Aliyev, who was headed to Russia, returned to Azerbaijan upon hearing of the crash. He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and declared a day of mourning in Azerbaijan. Russian President Putin also expressed his condolences and sent aid to assist with the aftermath of the crash.
The crash occurred during a turbulent time as leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States were gathering for a meeting in St. Petersburg. Both Aliyev and Putin expressed sympathy for the victims, with Putin announcing Russia’s Emergency Ministry’s assistance to Kazakhstan. Investigations into the crash were being carried out by authorities from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia. Embraer, the manufacturer of the aircraft, stated their readiness to assist relevant authorities in determining the cause of the crash. The incident highlighted the risks associated with air travel and the importance of swift and thorough investigations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
