Key Takeaways:
- 38 fatalities and 29 survivors reported after the crash near Aktau.
- Worsening weather and a potential bird strike are focal points in the inquiry.
- Multiple nations’ agencies, including Kazakh, Azerbaijani, and Russian, are conducting investigations.
- Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended related flights pending full clarification of the incident.
- President Ilham Aliyev declared a national day of mourning and returned home to address the tragedy.
An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 carrying 67 people crashed on Wednesday near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, killing 38 passengers and leaving 29 survivors, according to Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbaev. The accident occurred as the aircraft traveled from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Grozny in Russia’s North Caucasus region.
Bozumbaev announced the latest casualty figures during a meeting with Azerbaijani officials, as reported by Interfax. Officials in Kazakhstan initially said that 32 people survived, but the final count—confirmed by Bozumbaev—stands at 29 survivors. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani agencies acknowledge there might be discrepancies in the reported numbers.
Emergency Landing and Suspected Causes
The Embraer 190 reportedly diverted its route due to worsening weather conditions and attempted an emergency landing roughly 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau Airport. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated it is too early to speculate on the exact cause of the accident, but mentioned severe weather as a potential factor forcing the plane off its planned course.
In a separate statement, Russia’s civil aviation authority (Rosaviatsia) indicated that a bird strike may have triggered the diversion. FlightRadar24 data revealed the aircraft making a figure-eight pattern near Aktau, with its altitude fluctuating significantly before crashing.
Passenger Nationalities and Investigation Efforts
According to Kazakh officials, those onboard included:
- 42 Azerbaijani citizens
- 16 Russian nationals
- 6 Kazakh nationals
- 3 Kyrgyz nationals
In the wake of the crash, Azerbaijan’s prosecutor general’s office and local authorities emphasized that investigations are ongoing. Azerbaijan Airlines has grounded flights between Baku and Grozny as well as Baku and Makhachkala until a thorough inquiry is completed.
Eyewitness Footage and Rescue Operations
Mobile phone videos shared on social media show the plane making a steep descent before hitting the ground, resulting in a significant fireball. Other clips reveal the aircraft’s fuselage torn away from its wings, with parts of the plane lying upside down in the grass. Some videos depict survivors assisting injured passengers away from the burning wreckage.
FlightRadar24 noted the aircraft experienced “strong GPS jamming,” which may have contributed to “bad ADS-B data” transmission. Such jamming activities have previously been attributed to regional geopolitical tensions, although no formal connection has been confirmed in this incident.
Official Responses and Condolences
President Ilham Aliyev returned to Azerbaijan from a planned trip to Russia upon learning about the crash. He offered his condolences via social media and declared December 26 a national day of mourning. Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed sympathy during a phone call with Aliyev, while confirming that Russia’s Emergency Ministry sent assistance to the crash site in Kazakhstan.
Authorities from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia have all launched independent investigations. Embraer has pledged full cooperation, emphasizing the company’s readiness to help determine the cause of this tragic event.
