A passenger jet from Azerbaijan Airlines crashed on December 25, 2024, near Aktau, Kazakhstan, during its flight from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, resulting in tragic outcomes.
The plane, identified as an Embraer 190, was carrying 67 individuals – 62 passengers and 5 crew members. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Emergencies, 32 survivors were reported, including two children. Witnesses described horrifying scenes as they saw the plane plunge from the sky.
Local media reported the aircraft attempted to make emergency landing maneuvers before crashing. Eyewitness accounts suggested the plane circled several times above the airport prior to the accident, likely due to heavy fog and other adverse conditions.
Initial investigations indicated several potential causes for the crash. Speculation arose around bird strikes and even internal explosions, with authorities highlighting reports of “an explosion of a bottle” inside the aircraft. The aviation watchdog from Russia suggested the plane veered off its scheduled path, crossing over the Caspian Sea before plummeting to the ground.
The crash site displayed devastation; dramatic footage shared on social media captured the moment the jet hit the ground, causing massive flames and debris scattered across the vicinity. Following the crash, rescue teams, numbering approximately 150 responders, commenced their efforts to save any surviving passengers and retrieve victims.
Following news of the disaster, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who was attending an informal summit of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) leaders, was rapidly called back to Azerbaijan to oversee response efforts. Aliyev expressed his condolences on social media, stating, "I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims… and wish for rapid recovery for the injured."
Russian President Vladimir Putin also reached out to Aliyev, expressing condolences and solidarity during this tragic period.
The Kazakh authorities stated they were actively investigating the cause of the crash, and Azerbaijani officials arrived on-site to collaborate with their Kazakh counterparts. They will work tirelessly to determine whether technical failures, weather conditions, or other factors contributed to this aviation disaster.
The aircraft’s operator, Azerbaijan Airlines, had earlier provided details about the plane's passenger composition, which included 37 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian citizens, 6 Kazakh citizens, and 3 Kyrgyz citizens. A comprehensive list of passengers was reportedly being prepared to aid families seeking information about their loved ones.
The aftermath of the crash has prompted calls for regulatory assessments to improve flight safety and to address any potential regulatory lapses. Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing experiences as they witnessed the fireball erupting upon impact, and many expressed distress over the incident.
Investigators continue to sift through evidence as the priority remains to identify the victims and offer assistance to survivors. Local hospitals are now treating those who escaped the wreck, with the condition of many reported as serious.
While the official cause remains unknown, inquiries by both the Kazakh and Azerbaijani inquiries are expected to provide clarity on this tragic event, as families mourn and await answers.
