An Azerbaijani airliner carrying 67 people crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, resulting in a tragic incident that claimed the lives of at least 38 individuals on board. The rescue operation, which unfolded in the aftermath of the crash, managed to save 29 survivors, including two children, with 11 individuals reported to be in critical condition.
The flight, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was en route from Baku to Grozny in Chechnya when it was forced to make an emergency landing close to Aktau. Distressing footage from the crash site captured the harrowing moments as survivors emerged from the charred wreckage. All survivors have been transported to hospitals for medical treatment.
Kazakh authorities have confirmed that none of the survivors were Kazakh nationals. The bodies of the deceased, most of whom were badly burnt, have been collected for identification purposes. A search team has recovered the plane's black box, and a commission has been established to investigate the cause of the crash.
Initial reports suggest that the pilot opted for an emergency landing following a bird strike. The tragic incident involved 62 passengers and 5 crew members, with citizens from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia on board. The airline has temporarily suspended flights on the affected route pending the completion of the investigation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended condolences and offered assistance, with a Russian Emergencies Ministry plane dispatched to aid in the aftermath of the crash. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the exact circumstances that led to the tragedy.
