An Azerbaijani airliner crashed in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, resulting in the deaths of 38 of the 67 individuals aboard. The Embraer 190 aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was en route from the capital city of Baku to Grozny, Chechnya, when it deviated from its intended path and crashed near Aktau. Following this tragedy, Azerbaijan declared a national day of mourning.
The ill-fated flight, carrying 62 passengers and 5 crew members, saw significant loss of life, with the Kazakh Ministry of Emergencies reporting 29 survivors, including three children, who are currently hospitalized.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced the day of mourning and expressed his condolences through social media, stating, "I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash... and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.” His planned visit to Russia for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meeting was also canceled as he focused on the aftermath of the crash.
The aircraft's route was traced on Flight Radar Web, showing it crossing the Caspian Sea before circling around the area where it eventually went down 3 kilometers from Aktau, known as Kazakhstan’s oil and gas hub. Reports from FlightRadar24 indicated the aircraft had experienced "strong GPS jamming," leading to faulty data transmission. This includes speculation about Russian air defense systems potentially causing the plane’s deviation and crash.
Initial statements from Azerbaijan Airlines suggested the plane had encountered birds prior to the incident, but this claim was later retracted.
The aircraft's black box has been recovered, providing some hope for insights about what led to the disaster. The Kazakh Ministry of Transport reported the passenger demographics, indicating the plane had 37 nationals from Azerbaijan, six from Kazakhstan, three from Kyrgyzstan, and 16 from Russia.
A significant emergency response followed the crash, with 150 emergency personnel deployed to control the situation and assist any survivors. Eyewitness accounts from locals near the crash site described harrowing scenes as they rushed to help those injured. One witness, Elmira, recounted the sight of survivors: “They were covered in blood. They were crying. They were calling for help.” The humanitarian response included airlifting specialist doctors to attend to the injured.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin reached out to Aliyev to express his condolences over the tragedy. Following this, assistance was dispatched to Aktau, including medical teams equipped to handle the emergency.
Azerbaijani Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva shared her grief on Instagram, saying, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. Wishing them strength and patience! I also wish for speedy recovery to the injured.”
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov also expressed his condolences via Telegram, reaffirming the widespread sorrow felt across different regions affected by the crash.
The investigation is currently active, managed by the Azerbaijani prosecutor general's office, which is working closely with Kazakh authorities to establish the exact circumstances leading to this tragic event. An investigative unit has been dispatched to the crash site, focusing on all possible causes.
This incident not only emphasizes the need for thorough investigations surrounding aviation safety but also highlights the broader concerns related to air traffic management and GPS security, particularly within regions impacted by geopolitical tensions.
Authorities are committed to ensuring clarity and justice for those affected by this heinous event, as families mourn and the aviation community calls for stringent reviews of safety protocols.
