Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashes near Kazakhstan’s Aktau; 38 dead, 29 injured
The plane carried 62 passengers and five crew members. Survivors recounted scenes of horror as the aircraft veered off its normal route, crossing the Caspian Sea before crashing along the shoreline.
WORLD
An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 jet, en route from Baku to Grozny, Russia, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday, leaving 38 dead and 29 injured. The tragedy unfolded after the flight was rerouted due to heavy fog, forcing an emergency landing.
The plane carried 62 passengers and five crew members. Survivors recounted scenes of horror as the aircraft veered off its normal route, crossing the Caspian Sea before crashing along the shoreline. Disturbing footage captured inside the cabin showed passengers bleeding and praying as chaos ensued.
Kazakhstan’s transport ministry reported that the victims included nationals from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with initial reports of a bird strike retracted by Azerbaijan Airlines. Authorities are exploring all possible scenarios.
Videos circulating online depict the plane plummeting before erupting into flames, with a thick plume of smoke marking the crash site. Witnesses described heart-wrenching moments, including survivors pleading for help.
Officials from Kazakhstan, Russia, and Azerbaijan continue rescue and recovery operations, while the incident has raised questions about aviation safety and emergency response protocols in the region.