Crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines Plane in Kazakhstan: 32 Survivors Out of 67 Passengers

On Wednesday, December 25, a plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, traveling from Baku (Azerbaijan) to Grozny (Russia), crashed near the city of Aktau in western Kazakhstan. The Embraer 190 aircraft was carrying 67 people, 32 of whom survived, according to the latest report from local authorities.

An Emergency Landing Followed by a Fire

The plane made an emergency landing for reasons still unknown before catching fire upon impact. The Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations dispatched 150 rescuers to the crash site. Videos shared by media outlets show the aircraft partially burned, with its front section completely destroyed.

The airline initially suggested the crash might have been caused by a collision with a flock of birds, but this claim was later withdrawn. The plane reportedly deviated from its usual route over the Caspian Sea before crashing.

An Ongoing Investigation

The cause of the crash remains unclear. The Azerbaijani General Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that a team of investigators has been sent to the site to examine all possible scenarios. The Kazakh Ministry of the Interior has also opened an investigation for “violation of safety and operational regulations in air transport.”

According to Azerbaijan Airlines, the passengers included 37 Azerbaijanis, 16 Russians, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyz nationals.

International Reactions

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev, who was in Russia for a summit, cut his visit short to return urgently to Baku. Vladimir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov expressed their condolences to the victims’ families, with Kadyrov stating he is “praying for the recovery of the injured.”

A Tragedy Marked by Survivors

Despite the severity of the crash, the number of survivors increased from 28 to 32. The Kazakh Ministry of Transport confirmed that the plane carried 62 passengers and five crew members.

Investigations continue to determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy, as rescuers and investigators remain on site.