An Azerbaijani passenger plane carrying 67 people crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing at least 38 passengers and leaving 29 survivors, many of whom are in critical condition. The Embraer 190 jet, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was en route from Baku to Grozny, Russia, when it met with disaster.

Why did the plane crash?

The crash occurred as the flight was diverted to Aktau due to severe fog in Grozny, its intended destination. It was reported by Russia's aviation watchdog that a bird strike caused an onboard emergency, which led the pilot to choose an alternate site for landing. However, experts in the aviation line have questioned this explanation.

Kazakhstan Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev confirmed the death toll during his meeting with an Azerbaijani delegation in Aktau. Preliminary details suggest the plane nosedived during its emergency landing, crashing roughly three kilometers from Aktau airport.

Who were the passengers?

The flight comprised of 62 passengers and five crew members, that included citizens from four countries:

42 citizens of Azerbaijan
16 Russian
6 Kazakhs
3 Kyrgyzstan citizens
Of the survivors, two children were taken to a hospital, while other passengers sustained injuries. Many were dragged out of the debris by rescue teams.

Before and after footage from inside

Videos appearing on social media show the aircraft plummeting towards the ground before catching fire. Survivors are seen leaving the wreckage, some of whom are covered in blood and bruises. Others assist fellow travelers.

One of the most chilling videos captures a passenger praying in what appeared to be the last moments before the crash. Another survivor managed to record the scene inside the plane, capturing the panic among the passengers and the roar of the engines before the crash.

Rescue operations were conducted immediately after the crash with 150 emergency workers, firefighters, and medical personnel flown in from Astana. The resultant fire was put out and survivors rushed to hospitals.

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia have joined forces to investigate the crash. Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General's Office confirmed that a team of top aviation and emergency officials had been sent to the site. The black box of the plane has been recovered for analysis, and a criminal case has been opened in Azerbaijan to determine the exact cause.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed deep sorrow, stating, “This is a great tragedy that has become a tremendous sorrow for the Azerbaijani people.” He emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation, cautioning against premature conclusions.

Aliyev declared December 26 as a day of mourning in Azerbaijan and suspended flights between Baku and Grozny, as well as Baku and Makhachkala, until the investigation is complete.

While initial reports link the crash to a bird strike, experts point to other potential contributing factors, such as strong GPS jamming in the region and restricted airspace. Makhachkala Airport, a closer alternative to Aktau, was closed earlier that day due to drone activity, limiting the pilot's options.

Embraer, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, has assured it will help with the probe. Azerbaijan Airlines has provided a hotline for the relatives and published the list of passengers. The airline and the government authorities have pledged to update regularly as the probe goes on.