38 Lives Lost in Azerbaijan Airlines Crash
A devastating plane crash involving Azerbaijan Airlines claimed 38 lives, leaving 29 survivors. The Embraer 190 aircraft was flying from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when it diverted and crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan. Authorities are investigating the causes of this tragedy.
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Dramatic visuals of Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashing near Kazakhstan’s Aktau Airport
Flight Diversion Ends in Disaster
The Embraer 190 took off from Baku and followed its planned route towards Grozny. Midway, the aircraft diverted and crossed the Caspian Sea. It attempted an emergency landing near Aktau, 3 kilometres from the airport, but tragically plummeted to the ground, breaking apart and erupting in flames.
Kazakh official Kanat Bozumbaev confirmed the figures, saying, “An Azerbaijani airliner with 67 people on board crashed Wednesday near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors.”
Speculation Over the Cause
Speculation is rife about the reasons behind the crash. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated, “The information provided to me is that the plane changed its course between Baku and Grozny due to worsening weather conditions and headed to Aktau airport, where it crashed upon landing.”
Officials at Grozny airport cited poor weather conditions as the reason for the diversion. Azerbaijan Airlines suggested a bird strike might have caused the emergency. However, aviation experts believe the damage aligns more closely with air defence impact than a bird collision.
Questions About Flight Path
FlightRadar24 data revealed an unusual flight path. The plane disappeared from radar over the Caspian Sea before reappearing near Aktau. Upon approaching Aktau, the aircraft performed a figure-eight pattern with erratic altitude changes before crashing.
Mobile phone footage captured the aircraft in a steep descent, ending in a fiery explosion. Other footage showed the wreckage, with parts of the fuselage ripped apart and lying upside down.
Black Box Recovered
Investigators recovered the plane’s black box, essential for understanding the crash’s cause. Timur Suleimenov, Kazakhstan’s main transport prosecutor, confirmed, “The black box has been found.”
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia are working together on the investigation. Embraer, the plane’s manufacturer, has offered its assistance, stating, “The company is ready to assist all relevant authorities.”
Survivors and Rescue Efforts
Videos on social media depicted survivors pulling injured passengers from the wreckage. Rescue teams worked tirelessly at the crash site, navigating the chaos to provide medical attention.
Kazakh emergency workers found the fuselage engulfed in flames. Officials disclosed that the passengers included 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russians, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyz nationals.
GPS Jamming Adds Complexity
FlightRadar24 reported strong GPS jamming in the region, leading to “bad ADS-B data” transmission. The interference likely complicated the pilot’s navigation. Past incidents have attributed such interference to geopolitical tensions in the area.
Mourning the Loss
President Aliyev declared 26 December a day of mourning in Azerbaijan. He expressed condolences, saying, “It is with deep sadness that I express my condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered condolences to Aliyev and sent Russian emergency teams to assist in Kazakhstan. Both leaders discussed the tragedy during a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meeting in St. Petersburg.
Multinational Investigation Underway
Kazakhstan’s emergency services, alongside Azerbaijani and Russian authorities, are conducting a comprehensive investigation. Initial reports suggest the combination of technical failure, weather, and possible external interference may have contributed to the crash.
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Video Shows Exact Moment Azerbaijan Plane Crashes During Emergency Landing
This crash highlights the vulnerabilities and risks in modern aviation. While the investigation continues, families of the victims face an unimaginable loss. The world waits for answers that may prevent future tragedies like this.