An Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane, carrying 67 people, crashed near Aktau City in Kazakhstan on December 25, 2024. The Embraer 190 aircraft was en route from Baku to Grozny, Russia, but was rerouted due to heavy fog in Grozny. Tragically, the plane crashed approximately three kilometers from Aktau International Airport after experiencing a collision with a flock of birds and a steering malfunction.
Crash Details and Casualties
According to preliminary reports from Kazakhstan’s Emergencies Ministry, there are 25 survivors of the crash, with 22 individuals hospitalized, including five in intensive care. Eyewitness videos captured the aircraft losing altitude rapidly before crashing into an open field and bursting into flames. Emergency services responded swiftly, deploying over 150 personnel and multiple units to assist in rescue efforts.
The aircraft transmitted a distress signal before the crash, indicating that the pilots were attempting to regain altitude but ultimately lost control. Visuals from the scene showed ambulances and emergency responders working diligently to rescue survivors and extinguish the flames engulfing the wreckage.
BREAKING: Azerbaijan Airlines flight traveling from Baku to Grozny crashes in Aktau, Kazakhstan, after reportedly requesting an emergency landing pic.twitter.com/hB5toqEFe2
— RT (@RT_com) December 25, 2024
Flight Information
Azerbaijan Airlines confirmed that Flight J2-8243 was involved in the incident and stated that further information would be provided as it becomes available. The crash has raised concerns about aviation safety in the region, prompting investigations into the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
Data from flight tracking website FlightRadar24 indicated that the aircraft had been flying over the Caspian Sea before circling near Aktau airport to request an emergency landing. At approximately 6:28 AM UTC (11:58 AM local time), the flight crashed near the Caspian Sea shore.
Flight #J28243 that crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan is an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer ERJ-190 with registration 4K-AZ65.#J28243 took off from Baku at 03:55 UTC time and was flying to Grozny. The aircraft was exposed to strong GPS jamming which made the aircraft… pic.twitter.com/rM1Q0jmMPt
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) December 25, 2024
Investigation Underway
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergencies has launched an investigation into the crash, focusing on the aircraft’s technical issues and external factors that may have contributed to the incident. As details continue to emerge, authorities are working to clarify passenger lists and provide support to those affected by this tragedy.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from various sources regarding the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash.
