A tragic aviation accident occurred on December 25 near Aktau in western Kazakhstan when an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet crashed en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia. According to the latest statement from Kazakhstan’s Ministry for Emergency Situations, at least 28 people have survived the crash.
The aircraft was carrying 67 individuals, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members, as confirmed by Azerbaijan Airlines. While rescue efforts are ongoing, the fate of the remaining passengers remains uncertain, raising fears of significant casualties.
Preliminary reports suggest that the plane had been rerouted due to heavy fog conditions in Grozny. In an unfortunate turn of events, it is believed that the aircraft collided with a flock of birds, leading to the catastrophic failure.
Emergency response teams have been dispatched to the crash site near Aktau, working tirelessly to locate survivors and provide medical assistance. The challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions are complicating the rescue operations, but authorities remain hopeful.
Families of the passengers are anxiously awaiting news, and both Azerbaijani and Kazakh officials have expressed their commitment to uncovering the cause of the accident. Aviation experts emphasize the need for a thorough investigation to prevent future tragedies.
The international community watches closely as this situation unfolds, highlighting the critical importance of air travel safety across the region. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
Reference(s):
Rescue efforts on as many feared dead in plane crash in Kazakhstan
cgtn.com