Tragic Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash Near Aktau, Kazakhstan: 42 Feared Dead
On December 25, 2024, a tragic accident occurred. An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 aircraft crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan. This incident resulted in the loss of approximately 42 lives. The flight, en route from Baku to Grozny in Russia’s Chechnya region, was carrying 67 individuals, including five crew members.
Flight Details and Emergency Landing Attempt
The aircraft departed from Baku at 7:55 AM local time, destined for Grozny. Due to dense fog in Grozny, the flight was rerouted to Aktau. At 9:35 AM, the crew signaled a distress call, reporting a failure in the control system. Subsequently, at 9:49 AM, they requested an emergency landing in Aktau. Tragically, at 10:28 AM, the plane crashed approximately 3 kilometers from Aktau Airport.
Casualties and Survivors
Kazakh authorities have confirmed that out of the 67 occupants, 28 survived the crash, including two children. The survivors were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention. Rescue operations have been challenging due to the
Preliminary Investigations
Initial reports suggest that the pilot attempted an emergency landing following a bird strike, which may have led to engine failure. However, authorities are exploring multiple factors, including potential technical malfunctions. The aircraft, an Embraer 190AR registered as 4K-AZ65, was manufactured in 2013 and had a capacity of up to 114 passengers.
Emergency Response
Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry dispatched 52 rescuers and 11 units of equipment to the crash site. Firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze, and efforts are ongoing to recover the deceased and investigate the crash site. A commission has been appointed to conduct a thorough investigation in collaboration with Azerbaijani authorities.
International Reactions
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has expressed profound condolences to the families of the victims and has returned to Baku to oversee the response to this tragedy. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov also extended sympathies, noting that 16 Russian nationals were among the passengers.
