Kazakhstan officials on Wednesday said that 38 people have died after an Azerbaijani Embraer 190 airliner crashed near the city of Aktau. The aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, made an emergency landing following a reported bird strike, according to Russian civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia.
Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbaev disclosed the death toll during a meeting with Azerbaijani officials, as reported by Russian news agency Interfax.
Azerbaijan’s prosecutor general’s office initially reported 32 survivors among the 67 people onboard, but Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry later confirmed that 29 survivors, including two children, had been hospitalized. Among the victims were both pilots and several passengers of different nationalities: 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russians, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyz nationals, as PTI reported.
The plane reportedly crashed three kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau airport while attempting an emergency landing. Mobile phone footage captured the aircraft’s steep descent, followed by a fiery impact. Videos circulating online showed survivors pulling others from the wreckage.
FlightRadar24 data indicated erratic altitude changes before the crash, which occurred after the pilots diverted to Aktau due to adverse weather conditions. The service also noted “strong GPS jamming” affecting the aircraft’s flight data.
Reactions and investigation
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed his condolences and declared December 26 a national day of mourning. Russian President Vladimir Putin also extended his sympathies, announcing that Russia’s Emergency Ministry had dispatched aid to Kazakhstan.
Azerbaijan Airlines has temporarily suspended flights between Baku, Grozny, and Makhachkala pending an investigation. Officials from Azerbaijan’s emergency situations ministry, deputy general prosecutor, and Azerbaijan Airlines have been deployed to Aktau for on-site investigations.
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Embraer, the aircraft manufacturer, stated it is prepared to assist authorities in determining the cause of the crash. Investigations are ongoing, with cooperation between Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed his condolences and declared December 26 a national day of mourning. Russian President Vladimir Putin also extended his sympathies, announcing that Russia’s Emergency Ministry had dispatched aid to Kazakhstan.
Azerbaijan Airlines has temporarily suspended flights between Baku, Grozny, and Makhachkala pending an investigation. Officials from Azerbaijan’s emergency situations ministry, deputy general prosecutor, and Azerbaijan Airlines have been deployed to Aktau for on-site investigations.
Embraer, the aircraft manufacturer, stated it is prepared to assist authorities in determining the cause of the crash. Investigations are ongoing, with cooperation between Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia.
(With PTI inputs)