Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashes near Aktau, Kazakhstan; survivors rescued

Russia-bound Azerbaijan Airlines plane requested emergency landing before crashing

A passenger plane carrying 110 people crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday, leaving at least 14 survivors, according to authorities. Emergency services are currently at the crash site, extinguishing a fire and assisting survivors, Reuters reported.

Incident details

The aircraft, an Embraer 190 operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Chechnya, in Russia. It was diverted due to heavy fog in Grozny and reportedly requested an emergency landing before the crash. The plane went down approximately three kilometers from Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea.

Survivors and casualties

Kazakhstan’s emergencies ministry confirmed that 14 people have been rescued, including five in critical condition who are being treated in a regional hospital. Ambulances were seen at the crash site, and videos circulating on social media showed survivors being evacuated through the aircraft’s rear emergency exit.

Witness accounts and visuals

Videos shared online captured the dramatic moments before the crash, showing the aircraft rapidly losing altitude and bursting into flames upon impact. Thick plumes of smoke rose from the site, and emergency personnel rushed to extinguish the blaze.

BREAKING: Azerbaijan Airlines flight traveling from Baku to Grozny crashes in Aktau, Kazakhstan, after reportedly requesting an emergency landing pic.twitter.com/hB5toqEFe2

— RT (@RT_com) December 25, 2024

Official statements

Azerbaijan Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement on its Instagram page:
“The Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flight J2-8243 on the Baku-Grozny route, made an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometers near the city of Aktau. Additional information regarding the incident will be provided to the public.”

Kazakhstan’s transport ministry also acknowledged the crash, stating:
“A plane doing the Baku-Grozny route crashed near the city of Aktau. It belongs to Azerbaijan Airlines.”

Ongoing investigation

Authorities have yet to determine the total number of fatalities, but preliminary information indicates that efforts to save additional passengers are ongoing. Fire services have extinguished the flames, and an investigation is underway to identify the cause of the crash.

The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety in the region, and more details are expected as the investigation progresses.

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