The investigation continues following the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines jet, which went down near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 26, 2024, killing 38 people onboard.
The Embraer 190 aircraft was carrying 67 individuals, including passengers and crew members, at the time of the incident. It had been flying from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Chechnya, but diverted off course and crashed. Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud noises moments before the crash, raising suspicions surrounding the cause of the disaster.
U.S. intelligence officials have indicated there may be a possibility the aircraft was struck by Russian surface-to-air missile systems. This claim gained traction after both Rashan Nabiyev, Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development, and White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby suggested there was external impact involved. Nabiyev stated, "The type of weapon used in the impact from outside will be determined during the probe," alluding to the early assessments conducted post-crash.
Tragically, the crash resulted not only in fatalities but also left 29 survivors injured, with some requiring intensive medical care. According to President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan observed a day of mourning for the victims, expressing condolences on social media for the families affected. "I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives... and wish speed for the injured," he said.
Reports from survivors suggest they experienced terrifying moments during the flight. A flight attendant recounted hearing loud bangs and said the oxygen masks released following the noises. Another survivor mentioned, "They were covered in blood. They were crying. They were calling for help." These firsthand accounts provide harrowing insights as rescue teams worked tirelessly to aid those who survived.
The crash site investigation hints at the possibility of missile involvement, as analysts noted damage to the aircraft consistent with shrapnel impacts. A former expert from France’s BEA air accident investigation agency noted similar damage to what was observed during the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 incident, which faced similar circumstances over Ukraine back in 2014.
Further adding to the complexity, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy laid blame squarely on Russia, stating, "We can see how the clear visual evidence at the crash site points to Russia's responsibility for the tragedy." Meanwhile, Russian officials have claimed there was drone activity occurring near Grozny at the time the flight experienced difficulties, leaving the door open to shift blame away from their air defense systems.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the Kremlin has urged caution, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating, "It would be wrong to make any hypotheses before the investigation's conclusions." Notably, investigations are underway to establish the exact cause of the crash, with both Azerbaijani and Russian investigators involved.
Following the catastrophe, Azerbaijan Airlines announced it would suspend flights to several Russian cities, illustrating the fallout the incident has caused within regional travel dynamics. This move followed the initial suspension of flights from Baku to Grozny and additional routes which had faced previous threats from drone attacks.
Rescue and recovery operations at the crash site reflected the intensity of the emergency response, with Kazakh officials recovering two black boxes from the aircraft as part of the investigation. The situation is developing, and authorities are working diligently to unravel the circumstances surrounding this horrific incident.
The investigation’s outcomes could have far-reaching ramifications not only for Azerbaijan’s air travel policies but also for international relations, especially amid the backdrop of the conflict involving Ukraine. While the investigations continue, the mourning for life lost due to this tragedy persists.
