In a tragic incident, an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane crashes near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan during an emergency landing, leaving 28 survivors hospitalised. The aircraft, identified as flight J2-8243, was en route from Azerbaijan to Russia when it was forced to land approximately 3km from Aktau airport.
Details of the Crash
The flight, operated by an Embraer 190 aircraft, carried 62 passengers and five crew members at the time of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest the emergency landing was triggered by heavy fog in Grozny, Russia, leading the pilot to divert and attempt to land at an alternate airport.
Casualties and Survivors
Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes According to health officials, 28 individuals, including two children, survived and are receiving treatment at local hospitals. Emergency responders reported that four bodies have been recovered, with rescue efforts ongoing as more survivors may still be found.
Rescue Operations
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed that 150 emergency personnel were dispatched to the crash site. The fire that erupted following the crash was extinguished swiftly, preventing further casualties.
Aerial footage captured by Reuters shows emergency specialists working through the wreckage to locate survivors and recover bodies.
Possible Cause of the Crash
Russia’s aviation authority stated the pilot may have encountered a bird strike before the emergency landing. This, combined with poor weather conditions, could have contributed to the accident. An investigation has been launched, and a government commission has been formed to assess the incident and provide support to the victims’ families.
Reactions from Authorities
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has cut short his visit to Russia and returned home to oversee the response to the crash. Russian President Vladimir Putin personally extended condolences to Aliyev, expressing deep sympathy for the victims and survivors.
Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Chechnya, issued a statement acknowledging the severity of the survivors’ injuries and offered prayers for their recovery.
Nationalities of Passengers
Reports confirm that the passengers included citizens from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The Azerbaijani government has vowed to provide all necessary assistance to those affected.
Investigation and Next Steps
Kazakhstan’s authorities are exploring several possible causes for the crash, including technical malfunctions and environmental factors. The investigation will focus on flight data and witness statements to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the crash.
This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
