An Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer E190 aircraft carrying 67 people crashed and burst into flames near Aktau city in Kazakhstan, leaving 25 survivors.
The commercial flight was en route from Baku to Grozny, the capital of the Russian Republic of Chechnya, when it encountered trouble today. Russian media reported the aircraft had to divert due to heavy fog in Grozny.
Social media videos captured the plane lowering its landing gear and losing altitude before striking the ground forcefully and erupting into flames.
Kazakhstan’s Emergency Situations Ministry confirmed the aircraft carried 62 passengers and 5 crew members. "Twenty-five individuals survived the crash, with 22 hospitalized, while 42 others lost their lives," the ministry announced.
According to Azerbaijan Airlines, the plane made an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometers from Aktau city, Kazakhstan, though the exact cause remains unclear.
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, stated the aircraft struck a bird during its journey. "This incident forced the captain to redirect to Aktau as an alternate airport. The crash occurred near the Caspian Sea coastline during landing preparations. We are in communication with AZAL and aviation authorities in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan," the agency said.
Rescue teams in Kazakhstan deployed 52 personnel and various equipment to the crash site. "The fire was extinguished upon the rescue team’s arrival," the ministry confirmed.
Authorities are investigating potential causes, including technical malfunctions.
The Embraer E190, manufactured in Brazil, has a maximum passenger capacity of 114.
- Location Map: The crash occurred near Aktau, situated along the Caspian Sea coast.
This tragic incident highlights the challenges and risks in aviation, prompting further scrutiny into safety protocols and equipment reliability.
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