Heard loud bang, began to pray": Kazakhstan plane crash survivors recount ordeal

Survivors of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan on Wednesday have recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the disaster, with many describing hearing two loud bangs before the aircraft plunged near Aktau. The crash, which killed 38 people, including two pilots, has raised serious concerns about the plane’s safety and the potential involvement of external interference.

Subhonkul Rakhimov, one of the survivors, recalled the terrifying sounds, stating, “After the bang...I thought the plane was going to fall apart.” Rakhimov, who is now hospitalized with injuries, described the plane as "damaged" and said it felt as though it was “drunk,” no longer flying as it had before. Another survivor, Vafa Shabanova, also heard the bangs and said a flight attendant directed her to move to the back of the plane. Both passengers reported oxygen issues in the cabin after the sounds were heard.

The flight, J2-8243, had been diverted from its intended route over an area where Russia has been using air defence systems against Ukrainian drones. The aircraft, which was en route to Grozny in Chechnya, had reportedly made two unsuccessful landing attempts before heading to Aktau, where it crashed. Preliminary reports from Azerbaijan Airlines suggest that "physical and technical external interference" could have played a role in the crash, though the official investigation is ongoing.

Several flights to Russian cities have been suspended by Azerbaijan Airlines following the incident. Meanwhile, Russia has indicated that the airspace in the region was closed due to Ukrainian drone activity, with reports of “terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure” in Grozny and Vladikavkaz. The Russian government has called for patience until the investigation is completed before making any conclusions about the cause of the crash.