Authorities have confirmed the discovery of the second black box at the crash site of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan. This follows the first black box's recovery, which was announced the previous evening. Abaybek Ordaev, the transport prosecutor for the Mangistau region, stated, "Two black boxes have been found during the investigation of the crash site, which will be sent to the aviation accident investigation department for decoding," as reported by Kazinform.
The tragic incident occurred on December 25 when the Embraer 190 aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed shortly after takeoff. Among the 69 individuals onboard, there were 38 fatalities, including six Kazakhstan nationals, and 29 survivors, three of whom were children. The safety of the remaining passengers has been of utmost concern, prompting immediate actions from both local authorities and the Azerbaijan government.
With the crash site spanning over 4,000 square meters, extensive efforts are underway to investigate the cause thoroughly. Ordaev noted, "The investigation is at the stage of completion, covering over 4,000 square meters," highlighting the diligence of the team assembled for this task. A specialized group comprised of seasoned police and prosecutorial staff has been created to handle the sensitive nature of this case.
Officials have been quick to secure the area and have begun the process of interviewing potential witnesses. This includes the victims, staff from the ground services, and anyone else possibly involved or with relevant information about the flight. It was also reported by Ordaev, "Operational measures are being taken, and we are interviewing the victims and staff from ground services... The recordings from the radio between dispatchers and the crew have been extracted," indicating early investigative progress.
On the diplomatic front, there is significant cooperation with representatives from Azerbaijan and Russia to support the investigation. The government of Azerbaijan has expressed its condolences and sent officials to Kazakhstan to assist with the inquiries. During this mourning period, tributes have emerged for the lives lost, as the nation reflects on the tragedy.
Following the crash, numerous emotional statements poured from international officials, with condolences echoing the sentiments of loss felt by the families of those aboard. Newly elected Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed his sympathy, acknowledging the grief shared by the Azerbaijani government and the stark importance of clarity concerning the incident's causes.
Investigators and aviation experts are analyzing all findings from the recoveries to help construct the detailed timeline of the accident, working closely with families awaiting answers. This incident is not only significant for local aviation safety but raises concerns globally, as the aviation community pays close attention to the outcome of the investigations. Safety measures and regulations are bound to be assessed and discussed internationally based on the findings of this tragic event.
The focus now turns to what lessons can be learned from this disaster. With black boxes—vital to deciphering the causative factors—being secured, authorities will prioritize their analysis, hoping to glean insights as they translate helplessness and tragedy from this incident.
This development has pushed discussions around aviation safety measures back to the forefront, as stakeholders call for renewed assessments of both national and international aviation protocols to prevent similar accidents. The sentiment among officials and the public alike is for accountability and thorough investigations, ensuring future travels' safety.
For now, search efforts will remain vigilant, and authorities will continue to update the public on the progress. Abaybek Ordaev emphasized the commitment to transparency throughout the investigation process, affirming their responsibility to the victims and their families.
