An Azerbaijani airliner crashed in the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, with initial reports indicating a high number of casualties. However, Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry later confirmed that at least 28 people survived the crash, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy. The total number of passengers on board the Embraer 190 aircraft was reported to be 67, including five crew members.
The plane, which was en route from Baku to Grozny, made an emergency landing just 3 km from Aktau. Azerbaijan Airlines stated that the pilot diverted the flight after a bird strike caused an “emergency situation on board.” The nationalities of the passengers included Azerbaijani, Russian, Kazakhstani, and Kyrgyzstani citizens.
Disturbing mobile phone footage of the crash circulated online, showing the aircraft descending rapidly and bursting into flames upon impact. The fuselage of the plane was torn apart, with survivors seen dragging fellow passengers away from the wreckage. Flight-tracking data revealed erratic altitude changes before the crash, with possible GPS jamming affecting the transmission of accurate flight data.
Embraer, the aircraft manufacturer, has not yet issued a statement regarding the crash. Azerbaijan Airlines pledged to keep the public informed and sent a delegation to Aktau for an on-site investigation. The tragic incident has prompted concerns about air safety and the need for thorough investigations to prevent similar accidents in the future.
