A passenger plane carrying 67 people crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan, The Authorities confirmed. The plane, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was initially on a flight from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Grozny, the capital of Russia's Chechnya region. However, due to thick fog making conditions unsuitable at its original destination, the flight was rerouted to an alternative path, which ultimately led it to crash near Aktau.The plane crashed near Aktau airport, sparking a fire that has since been extinguished.
According to Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry, 25 people survived the crash, and 22 of them have been hospitalized. The Embraer 190 aircraft, which carried 62 passengers and 5 crew members, crashed about 3 km (1.8 miles) from Aktau. The Ministry is currently investigating the incident, including the possibility of a technical malfunction.
Azerbaijan Airlines confirmed that the Embraer 190 aircraft, operating under flight number J2-8243, was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, the capital of Russia's Chechnya, when it was forced to make an emergency landing. The aircraft, which had been flying at a cruising altitude, experienced an unexpected situation and was directed to land approximately 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) away from the Kazakh city of Aktau. While the reason for the emergency landing remains unclear, it highlights the gravity of the situation and the swift action taken by the flight crew to ensure the safety of the passengers.
The first video footage from the crash site in Aktau has now surfaced, providing a glimpse into the aftermath of the incident. The images show a chaotic scene as emergency responders rush to secure the area and assess the condition of the aircraft. The footage also captures the plane's location near a remote area, underscoring the urgency of the emergency landing.
According to reports, the plane had requested an emergency landing before the tragedy unfolded. This detail suggests that the crew had identified a serious issue mid-flight and took the necessary steps to mitigate the situation. The exact cause of the emergency remains under investigation, with authorities from multiple countries expected to conduct a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Social media posts showed dramatic footage of the crash, including a plane descending and bursting into flames on impact. First responders were seen near the wreckage, working to retrieve survivors.
This tragic event adds to a series of recent aviation accidents. Earlier this week, another crash in Brazil claimed the lives of 10 people when a small aircraft went down in a popular tourist town, injuring more than a dozen others on the ground.
As investigations continue, authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the crash in Kazakhstan, with technical issues still a potential factor. Meanwhile, survivors are receiving medical attention at nearby hospitals.