Flight from Baku to Grozny Ends in Tragedy Near Aktau
An Azerbaijani airliner carrying 67 people crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, early Wednesday, resulting in 32 survivors, while over 30 others are feared dead, according to officials.
The Embraer 190 aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was en route from Baku to Grozny, Russia, when it made an emergency landing 3 km from Aktau after a reported bird strike caused “an emergency situation on board,” Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry and Russia’s civil aviation authority said.
Casualties and Survivors
The crash resulted in 29 survivors, including two children, being hospitalized. Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry initially reported fluctuating survivor counts as rescue operations progressed, revising the number to 32 survivors later, though the final count remains uncertain.
The passengers included 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russians, six Kazakhstanis, and three Kyrgyz nationals. Both pilots reportedly perished in the crash.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Videos circulating on social media showed the aircraft in a steep descent before crashing in a fireball, with survivors seen pulling fellow passengers away from the wreckage. The fuselage was severely damaged, with parts ripped away and lying upside down in a grassy field.
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia have launched a joint investigation. Azerbaijan Airlines confirmed the bird strike and stated that strong GPS jamming likely contributed to navigation issues. FlightRadar24 reported irregular altitude fluctuations and interference with the plane’s tracking system before impact.
Official Reactions
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed condolences to the victims’ families and declared December 26 a national day of mourning. Aliyev, who was en route to Russia, returned to Azerbaijan to oversee the response.
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences and dispatched medical and emergency teams to Kazakhstan to assist with the aftermath.
Broader Impact
Azerbaijan Airlines has pledged transparency in updating the public and changed its social media banners to black in mourning. An official Azerbaijani delegation, including the emergency situations minister and vice president of Azerbaijan Airlines, has been dispatched to the crash site.
The Embraer company has also expressed readiness to assist in the investigation, as authorities work to determine the exact causes of this tragic accident.