Aktau, Kazakhstan—A passenger plane has crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan, as reported by Russian news agencies on Wednesday, citing Kazakhstan's Emergencies Ministry.
The aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was en route from Baku to Grozny in Russia's Chechnya region. Adverse weather conditions, specifically heavy fog in Grozny, necessitated a reroute of the flight, according to the reports.
Details about the cause of the crash and the number of passengers on board have not been released yet. Emergency response teams have been dispatched to the crash site, and rescue operations are currently underway.
The incident has raised concerns over flight safety in the region, particularly regarding weather-related diversions. Aviation authorities are expected to launch a thorough investigation to determine the factors that led to the tragedy.
Families of those onboard are being notified, and support services are being arranged. Azerbaijan Airlines has yet to release an official statement concerning the incident.
This tragedy marks a significant event in Central Asian aviation, bringing attention to the importance of stringent safety measures and real-time weather assessments in flight operations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
