- A tragic plane crash occurred near Aktau, Kazakhstan, involving a passenger plane from Azerbaijan Airlines.
- The flight, carrying 67 people, crashed during an attempted emergency landing due to foggy conditions.
- At least 25 survivors were reported, with several in intensive care, and an investigation into the cause of the crash has been launched.
- The incident has drawn international attention, with condolences expressed by leaders and a commitment from Azerbaijan Airlines to keep the public informed.
The world is reeling from a tragic incident that unfolded near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, carrying 67 people, crashed, resulting in numerous fatalities. The plane was en route from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Grozny in Russia. The majority of those on board were Azerbaijani nationals, with some passengers from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
The ill-fated flight J2-8243 took off from Baku at 03:55 GMT on Wednesday and crashed around 06:28, as per data from flight-tracking website Flightradar24. The plane was reportedly diverted due to foggy conditions. It caught fire while attempting an emergency landing, approximately 3km (1.9 miles) from Aktau.
A video verified by Reuters news agency shows the plane heading towards the ground at high speed, with its landing gear down. Moments after it seems to attempt to land, a massive fireball erupts, painting a horrifying picture of the incident.
Survivors and Immediate Response
The country’s emergency ministry confirmed that there were at least 25 survivors, 22 of whom were taken to hospital. Unverified video footage showed emergency services extinguishing the fire and pulling people out of the wreckage. The health ministry of Kazakhstan has dispatched a special flight from the capital Astana with specialist doctors to treat the injured.
Local health officials reported that 14 survivors had been taken to the regional hospital, with five in intensive care. The government has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Embraer, the manufacturer of the Embraer 190 aircraft involved in the crash, has expressed readiness to assist all relevant authorities.
The BBC has reached out to Azerbaijan Airlines for comment. In the aftermath of the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines expressed its commitment to keeping the public informed. The airline’s social media banners were changed to solid, presumably as a mark of respect for the victims of the crash.
International Reactions and Historical Precedents
The incident has drawn international attention, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expressing condolences to Azerbaijan’s president over the loss of life in the plane crash. The Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, also expressed his condolences and said those being treated in hospital were in an extremely serious condition. He added that he and others would pray for their rapid recovery.
This tragic incident brings to mind the crash of Air France Flight 447 in 2009, which was en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris when it plunged into the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 228 people on board. The cause was later determined to be a combination of technical and human factors. As investigations into the Kazakhstan crash continue, it is hoped that lessons from past tragedies can help prevent such incidents in the future.