Azerbaijani Airliner Crashes in Kazakhstan, Killing Dozens; 32 Survive “`

An Azerbaijani airliner carrying 67 people crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday. At least 32 survivors have been reported, while the death toll may exceed 30.

The flight originated in Baku, Azerbaijan, and was headed to Grozny, Russia.

The Kazakhstani Emergency Ministry, via Telegram and RIA Novosti, stated that five crew members were on board and 29 survivors, including two children, were hospitalized.

Interfax, citing medical personnel and emergency responders, reported the recovery of four bodies and indicated that both pilots perished in the crash.

Azerbaijan Airlines previously reported that the Embraer 190 aircraft made an emergency landing 3 km from Aktau.

The Kazakhstani Emergency Ministry initially reported 25 survivors, later revising the figure to 27, 28, and then 29, as the rescue operation progressed.

Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General’s Office subsequently confirmed at least 32 survivors, noting that this figure remained provisional. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry added that some survivors were critically injured.

The number of survivors suggests a death toll potentially exceeding 30.

According to Kazakhstani officials, the passengers included 42 Azerbaijani, 16 Russian, six Kazakhstani, and three Kyrgyzstani citizens.

RIA Novosti, citing Rosaviatsia (Russia’s civil aviation authority), reported that preliminary information indicated a bird strike caused an onboard emergency, prompting the pilot’s diversion to Aktau.

Videos circulating online seemingly depict the aircraft’s steep descent and impact, showing fire and wreckage. The footage aligns with the plane’s livery and registration number.

Some social media videos show survivors assisting others from the wreckage.

FlightRadar24.com data indicates a possible figure-eight maneuver near Aktau airport, with significant altitude fluctuations before impact.

FlightRadar24 also reported “strong GPS jamming” resulting in inaccurate ADS-B data transmission. Past incidents have implicated Russia in GPS jamming in the region.

Azerbaijan Airlines pledged to provide updates and changed its social media banners to black.

Azertac (Azerbaijan’s state news agency) reported that an official delegation, including Azerbaijan’s emergency situations minister, deputy general prosecutor, and Azerbaijan Airlines vice president, traveled to Aktau to investigate.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who had been in Russia, returned to Azerbaijan following the crash, according to his press service. He was scheduled to attend a CIS meeting in St. Petersburg.

President Aliyev offered condolences to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery via social media, also declaring Dec. 26 a day of mourning in Azerbaijan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to President Aliyev during a phone call, as relayed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Speaking at the CIS meeting, Putin stated that Russia’s Emergency Ministry dispatched a plane with equipment and medical personnel to Kazakhstan to aid in the aftermath.

Kazakhstani, Azerbaijani, and Russian authorities are investigating, with Embraer stating its readiness to assist.