On Wednesday, a devastating incident unfolded as an Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan, resulting in the loss of more than 30 passengers. The Embraer 190 passenger jet, en route from Azerbaijan to Russia, was carrying 62 passengers and five crew members. Kazakh authorities confirmed that there were 38 fatalities and 29 survivors who sustained injuries.
Reports indicated that the flight had deviated significantly from its intended route, ultimately crashing on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea. While the reason for this unexpected course change remains unclear, speculations arose following drone strikes in southern Russia. Aviation experts suggested the possibility of a bird strike or even a military air-defense system causing the tragic crash.
The passengers onboard the ill-fated flight included individuals from various nationalities, with Azerbaijani citizens comprising the majority. Tragically, both pilots lost their lives in the crash, as emergency workers and medical personnel worked tirelessly to attend to the survivors, including two children.
The aftermath of the crash was captured in harrowing videos, showing the plane descending rapidly and bursting into flames upon impact. Thick black smoke billowed from the wreckage as bloodied passengers emerged, seeking help amidst the chaos.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who was en route to Russia himself, swiftly returned to his country upon learning of the tragedy. Expressing his condolences to the victims' families, President Aliyev declared a national day of mourning in Azerbaijan to honor the lives lost in the aviation disaster.
Azerbaijan Airlines, deeply affected by the tragedy, vowed to keep the public informed and changed its social media banners to black in a gesture of mourning. The airline extended prayers for the departed souls and wished a speedy recovery to the injured survivors, acknowledging the shared grief felt by all.
