An Embraer 190 aircraft crashed approximately three kilometers (1.8 miles) from the Kazakh city of Aktau while attempting an emergency landing. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev confirmed the incident, stating that 38 people had died. The plane was traveling from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when the crash occurred.
According to Azerbaijan’s prosecutor general’s office, 32 passengers survived the crash. However, the office added that the investigation is ongoing, with all possible scenarios being explored and expert analyses underway. An investigative team, led by Azerbaijan’s deputy prosecutor general, is working at the crash site.
In response to the incident, Azerbaijan Airlines has temporarily suspended flights from Baku to Russia’s Chechnya region until the investigation is complete. Preliminary reports suggest the plane had requested to land at an alternate airport due to dense fog in Grozny before the crash. Russian aviation authorities have mentioned a possible bird strike as the reason for the emergency landing attempt.
The passengers onboard the flight were from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, according to Al Jazeera. Azerbaijan Airlines has set up a hotline to assist the families of those affected.
Kazakhstan has formed a government commission to investigate the crash and offer support to the victims’ families. In light of the tragedy, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev shortened his visit to Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed condolences, offering sympathy to the grieving families and wishing a swift recovery to the survivors. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov also expressed his sorrow.
