Aktau, Kazakhstan – December 19, 2024

Tragically, an Azerbaijani airliner with 67 people on board went down close to the Kazakhstani city of Aktau on Wednesday. This heartbreaking incident has claimed 38 lives and left 29 others injured, as reported by officials.

Overview of the Incident

During a meeting with Azerbaijani officials, Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbaev shared the tragic figures, according to reports from the Russian news agency Interfax. An Embraer 190, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was the aircraft involved. The flight started in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, and was headed to Grozny, located in the North Caucasus region of Russia.

The flight was unexpectedly diverted and made an emergency landing about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau airport. Azerbaijan Airlines has confirmed the diversion and the subsequent crash, noting that the aircraft was making a last-minute change to its intended route.

The statement from the President of Azerbaijan

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan spoke to the nation during a press conference, offering his condolences to the families of the victims and sharing some initial thoughts on the incident. “It’s still early to pinpoint the exact cause of the crash,” Aliyev remarked. “It seems that bad weather forced a change in plans, resulting in an emergency landing attempt close to Aktau.”

Aliyev went on to say, “The aircraft changed its route from Baku to Grozny because of worsening weather and was redirected to Aktau airport, where, sadly, the crash happened during landing.”

Visual Proof and First Impressions

Photos taken from a video shared by the Mangystau region administration show the debris of the Embraer 190 spread out near Aktau airport. The plane rests on the ground, charred in parts, showing clear signs of damage to its body and wings. Footage from mobile phones shared online captures the plane as it makes a sharp descent before crashing, leading to a fiery wreck that left sections of the aircraft scattered and flipped over.

Survivor videos show heart-wrenching moments of passengers trying to break free from the wreckage, with some bravely helping others to safety amid the chaos and flames. The powerful footage highlights just how serious the crash was and the quick actions taken by those who were there.

Investigations are currently in progress.

According to preliminary information from Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, the pilots made a diversion to Aktau after experiencing an emergency due to a bird strike. This serious incident is thought to have jeopardized the aircraft’s safety, leading to an unexpected landing attempt.

Kazakh officials shared that among the passengers were 42 citizens from Azerbaijan, 16 from Russia, six from Kazakhstan, and three individuals hailing from Kyrgyzstan. There are, however, differences in the reported number of survivors. Azerbaijan’s prosecutor general first mentioned that 32 of the 67 occupants had survived, but later updated that the final count was still being verified. The Associated Press pointed out that these numbers still needed to be aligned between sources from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24.com showed that the Embraer 190 performed a figure-eight maneuver while nearing Aktau airport, experiencing notable changes in altitude in the last moments before the crash. Moreover, FlightRadar24 noted that the aircraft faced “strong GPS jamming,” which led to incorrect ADS-B data being transmitted. The interference, which has often been linked to Russian sources in the area, might have played a role in the navigational difficulties encountered by the flight crew.

Azerbaijan Airlines has provided a response.

Following the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines stated that it would halt flights between Baku and Grozny, along with those between Baku and Makhachkala in Russia’s North Caucasus, while they conduct their internal investigation. The airline has also refreshed its social media platforms, showcasing solid black banners to honor and stand in solidarity with those affected.

A delegation made up of Azerbaijan’s emergency situations minister, the deputy general prosecutor, and the vice president of Azerbaijan Airlines has been sent to Aktau to carry out an on-site investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Condolences from the President and a Time for National Mourning

President Aliyev was on his way to Russia for an informal gathering of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) leaders in St. Petersburg when he learned about the crash and promptly returned to Azerbaijan. He shared a heartfelt message on social media, offering his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoping for a quick recovery for those who were injured.

“I am deeply saddened to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones, and I wish a swift recovery to those who are injured,” Aliyev expressed. “As a nation, we are coming together in our grief.”

Following the tragedy, President Aliyev issued a decree designating December 26 as a day of mourning in Azerbaijan, enabling the nation to pay tribute and observe moments of silence for the victims.

Global Responses and Assistance

President Vladimir Putin of Russia personally contacted President Aliyev to convey his condolences, as stated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. During the CIS meeting in St. Petersburg, Putin shared that Russia’s Emergency Ministry had sent a plane with medical staff and essential equipment to help Kazakhstan following the crash.

Embraer’s Statement

Embraer, the company behind the crashed Embraer 190, released a statement indicating their willingness to support all relevant authorities in the investigation. We are heartbroken by the tragic accident involving Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190. “Embraer is dedicated to assisting in all investigations aimed at uncovering the root causes of this incident and ensuring that similar events do not happen again,” the statement said.

Community Engagement and Continuous Initiatives

While the investigations are ongoing, our attention is firmly on offering support to the survivors and the families of those who lost their lives. Communities in Aktau and throughout Azerbaijan are coming together to lend a helping hand, offering everything from temporary shelter and financial support to counseling services for those impacted by the tragedy.

People from different humanitarian groups have come together, working hand in hand to make sure that survivors get the care they need and that the families of those who have passed are supported during this difficult time.

Warning: The following video contains scenes that some viewers may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised. 

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