On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft flying from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, crashed near the Caspian Sea, killing several people, while the rest were taken to the hospital in critical condition.
The reports reveal that the plane was carrying 67 people, including five crew members. Due to heavy fog in Grozny, the plane reportedly changed its route and decided to land at Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan. But according to early reports, the plane crashed a few miles from Aktau Airport, possibly due to engine failure brought on by a bird strike.
Following this unfortunate incident, a readout of the phone call between Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin was published:
"The heads of state expressed condolences to each other, to the family members and loved ones of those killed in the plane crash, among whom were citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia and other countries, and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded," the readout said.
What caused the plane crash in Kazakhstan?
According to the Kazakhstan Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Embraer 190 was attempting to make an emergency landing after a bird strike caused the engine failure. Upon landing, the plane burst into flames, killing at least 38 people. As per initial data, 29 people, including two children, survived the plane crash.
Among the passengers, 37 were Azerbaijan citizens, 16 were Russian citizens, and among the rest of the passengers, 6 were Kazakhstan citizens while the remaining three were Kyrgyzstan citizens. The surviving passengers were severely injured and taken into the hospital in critical condition. The Ministry of Emergency Situations reported on Wednesday that the list of dead and surviving people was being finalized. It was confirmed that the ministry would inform the public once the full list is made.
Video of the plane crash showed the plane was circling near the airfield and ultimately caught fire upon landing. As per the authorities, emergency response teams comprising 432 workers were employed to work on the search and rescue operation. 10 canine units, along with 79 vehicles, also arrived at the scene of the crash to carry out the rescue operation.
Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Qanat Bozymbaev reported,
"The bodies are in poor condition, mostly burnt, all collected. Now they will be in the morgue, and identification will take place."
The Kazakhstan government, along with the Azerbaijan government, has set up an investigation team to further investigate the cause of the plane crash. The Azerbaijan Airlines said in a press conference,
"Currently, the investigation process is ongoing in cooperation with the Prosecutor's Office of Kazakhstan. All versions are being explored in the criminal case."
As per the officials, aviation authorities from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia are currently investigating the case in order to determine what caused the plane crash. The investigation team is simultaneously working to identify the passengers and inform their family members. The aircraft manufacturing company, Embraer, said in a statement,
"We are closely monitoring the situation, and we remain fully committed to supporting the relevant authorities."
Azerbaijan's president, Ilham Aliyev, expressed his condolences and is deeply sorry for the lives that were lost. He further wished for a speedy recovery for the people who survived.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed his grief regarding this unfortunate incident.
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"Let's hope for a speedy recovery of the injured ones and, of course, I am sure, a thorough investigation will be carried out. We will coordinate on all issues related to this tragedy."
Azerbaijan Airlines reported suspending all flights from Baku to Grozny and Makhachkala until the investigation is completed and the exact reason for the plane crash is found out.
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