• Azerbaijan
• Plane

AZERBAIJANI AIRLINER CRASHES IN KAZAKHSTAN, KILLING 38 WITH 29 SURVIVORS

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  CapitalTimesNews / 4 months
• 0
• 2 min read

An Azerbaijani airliner carrying 67 people crashed near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau on Wednesday, killing 38 and leaving 29 survivors, according to Kazakh officials. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbaev disclosed the figures while meeting with Azerbaijani officials, as reported by the Russian news agency Interfax. The Embraer 190 was flying from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when it was diverted due to bad weather and attempted an emergency landing near Aktau, Azerbaijan Airlines said. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that the weather had forced the plane to change its course, saying “The information provided to me is that the plane changed its course between Baku and Grozny due to worsening weather conditions and headed to Aktau airport, where it crashed upon landing.” Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, reported that preliminary information indicated the pilots diverted to Aktau after a bird strike led to an emergency on board. The plane’s passengers included 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyzstan nationals. Mobile phone footage showed the aircraft making a steep descent before crashing into the ground in a fireball. Survivors were seen dragging fellow passengers away from the wreckage. Flight-tracking data indicated the aircraft had faced “strong GPS jamming,” which affected its transmission of data. Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights between Baku and Grozny, as well as between Baku and Makhachkala in Russia’s North Caucasus, until the investigation is concluded. An official delegation has been sent to Aktau to conduct an on-site investigation. President Aliyev expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, saying “It is with deep sadness that I express my condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.” He also declared December 26 a day of mourning in Azerbaijan. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Aliyev and expressed his condolences, and Russia’s Emergency Ministry sent a plane with equipment and medical workers to assist with the aftermath of the crash. Credit: AP News