Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash leaves dozens dead, but miraculously, many survivors emerge from the wreckage in Kazakhstan; an emergency landing gone catastrophically wrong in poor weather conditions.
Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash: Over 30 Survivors, 38 Dead in Kazakhstan
Emergency Landing Gone Wrong
An Azerbaijani airliner carrying 67 people crashed near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau on Tuesday, leaving at least 32 survivors and potentially over 30 dead. The Embraer 190 was en route from Baku to Grozny when it made an emergency landing due to a bird strike.
Preliminary Information
According to preliminary information, the pilots diverted to Aktau after the bird strike led to an emergency on board. Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry said that those onboard included five crew members. A total of 29 survivors, including two children, have been hospitalized.
Cause of the Crash Still Unknown
The cause of the crash is still unknown, but preliminary information suggests that the pilots were trying to land in poor weather conditions. Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights between Baku and Grozny until its investigation into the crash is concluded.
Investigation Underway
An official delegation from Azerbaijan’s emergency situations minister, the deputy general prosecutor, and the vice president of Azerbaijan Airlines are conducting an “on-site investigation” at the scene. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the phone and offered assistance in the aftermath of the crash.
Footage and Testimony
Mobile phone footage circulating online showed the aircraft making a steep descent before smashing into the ground in a fireball. Other footage showed part of its fuselage ripped away from the wings and the rest of the aircraft, lying upside down in the grass. Some videos posted on social media showed survivors dragging fellow passengers away from the wreckage.
Response from Authorities
Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry said that they were investigating the crash alongside Azerbaijani and Russian authorities. Embraer told The Associated Press that the company is “ready to assist all relevant authorities.” Russia has been blamed in the past for jamming GPS transmissions in the wider region, which could have affected the plane’s ability to transmit data during the emergency landing.
Condolences and Response
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed his condolences to the families of the victims on social media, saying it was too soon to speculate on the reasons behind the crash. He also signed a decree declaring December 26 a day of mourning in Azerbaijan. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Aliyev on the phone and offered assistance in the aftermath of the crash.
Investigations Ongoing
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with authorities from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia working together to determine the cause of the accident. The incident has left many questions unanswered, but it is clear that the emergency landing went catastrophically wrong.
