A devastating crash involving an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan, has left at least 38 people dead, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The Embraer 190 aircraft, carrying 62 passengers and five crew members, was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when it was forced to make an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau.
Emergency Response and Casualties
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev described the situation as grim, with initial reports confirming 38 fatalities. Azerbaijan’s prosecutor general’s office stated that 32 people survived the crash, though their conditions were not immediately disclosed. Emergency specialists quickly arrived at the crash site to manage the aftermath and assist survivors.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash. Azerbaijan’s prosecutor general dispatched an investigative team to Kazakhstan to oversee the inquiry. A statement from Azerbaijan Airlines indicated that all flights from Baku to Russia’s Chechnya region have been suspended pending the investigation’s outcome.
Russia’s aviation watchdog suggested that a bird strike may have forced the pilots to request an emergency landing at an alternative airport. Heavy fog in Grozny further complicated the situation, according to reports.
International Response and Support
Passengers on board included citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The airline established a hotline for relatives of those involved. Kazakhstan’s government has launched a commission to investigate the incident and ensure support for victims’ families.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev cut short his visit to Russia to address the tragedy, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov and Chechnya’s leader Ramzan Kadyrov expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
Broader Implications
The crash has drawn attention to safety concerns in regional aviation and highlights the challenges of operating under adverse weather conditions. The full results of the investigation are expected to provide clarity on the contributing factors behind the tragic accident.
Edied by Qamrul Salehin
Source: News 360 and Aljazeera
