December 25th 2024.
A tragic event has unfolded as an Azerbaijani airliner carrying 67 individuals crashed near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau. Reports indicate that 38 people have lost their lives, while 29 have survived the ordeal. During a meeting with Azerbaijani officials, Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbaev shared these devastating figures, as reported by the Russian news agency Interfax.
The flight was destined from the Azerbaijani capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus. However, the flight was diverted and attempted an emergency landing just 3km away from Aktau, according to Azerbaijan Airlines. President Ilham Aliyev addressed the media, stating that it is too early to speculate on the cause of the crash. He did, however, mention that the weather conditions forced the plane to alter its course.
"The information I have received indicates that the plane had to change its route due to worsening weather conditions between Baku and Grozny. As a result, it attempted to land at Aktau airport, but tragically crashed during the landing," President Aliyev shared during a press conference.
Preliminary information from Russia's civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, suggests that a bird strike caused an emergency on board, leading to the pilots' decision to divert to Aktau. The immediate aftermath of the crash was captured on mobile phone footage, showing the aircraft descending steeply and crashing into the ground in a fiery explosion. Other videos depicted the plane's fuselage torn apart from the wings, with the rest of the aircraft lying upside down in the grass. These visuals were consistent with the plane's colors and registration number.
At this time, it is believed that there were 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyzstan nationals on board the plane. However, the numbers provided by Kazakhstan and Azerbaijani officials differ slightly, causing some confusion. The Associated Press is working to reconcile these discrepancies.
Some social media posts showed survivors helping fellow passengers escape from the wreckage. Flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24.com indicated that the plane was making a figure eight pattern while approaching Aktau airport, with its altitude fluctuating significantly in the last moments before the crash.
In a separate post, FlightRadar24 stated that the aircraft experienced "strong GPS jamming," causing it to transmit incorrect information. This jamming could potentially be linked to previous instances of Russia disrupting GPS signals in the region.
Azerbaijan Airlines has promised to keep the public informed and has changed its social media banners to solid black in honor of the lives lost. The airline has also suspended flights between Baku and Grozny, as well as Baku and Makhachkala, until their investigation into the crash is complete. A delegation from Azerbaijan, including the emergency situations minister, the deputy general prosecutor, and the vice president of Azerbaijan Airlines, has been sent to Aktau to conduct an on-site investigation.
Upon hearing the tragic news, President Aliyev, who was en route to Russia, returned to Azerbaijan. He was scheduled to attend a meeting of leaders from the Commonwealth of Independent States in St. Petersburg. In a statement on social media, President Aliyev expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for those injured. He also declared December 26 a day of mourning in Azerbaijan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with President Aliyev over the phone to offer his condolences. During a meeting in St. Petersburg, President Putin also announced that Russia's Emergency Ministry has dispatched a plane with equipment and medical personnel to assist with the aftermath of the crash.
The Kazakhstani, Azerbaijani, and Russian authorities are currently investigating the crash. In a statement to the Associated Press, Embraer, the manufacturer of the aircraft, offered their assistance to all relevant authorities. This is a tragic event that has deeply affected all involved, and our hearts go out to the families of the victims. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
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