Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash survivors have shared chilling accounts of the disastrous moment when their flight became catastrophic. One prominent voice among them is Subhonkul Rakhimov, who vividly recounts the terrifying experience.
According to Rakhimov, who spoke with Reuters, the incident began with surprising suddenness. He recalls, "Dicono che ci siano stati due boati ma io ne ho sentito solo uno, e piuttosto distintamente" (They say there were two booms, but I heard only one, quite distinctly). This singular focus on the noise reflects the moments of dread passengers felt as the plane faltered.
After the initial explosion, Rakhimov noted visible damage to the fuselage. He described his immediate feelings of fear, stating, "Dopo l'esplosione ho visto che la fusoliera era leggermente danneggiata, e poi mi sono spaventato. Ho pensato che l'aereo sarebbe andato in pezzi" (After the explosion, I saw the fuselage was slightly damaged, and then I got scared. I thought the plane would fall apart). This fear, shared by fellow passengers, was palpable as the plane struggled to maintain altitude.
Rakhimov describes experiencing the impact itself as disorienting. "Ero cosciente quando ho sentito l'impatto, sono stato sbalzato in alto, poi a terra e di nuovo in alto. Tutto è durato per alcuni secondi. E poi è arrivato il silenzio" (I was conscious when I felt the impact; I was thrown up, then down, and back up again. It lasted for several seconds. And then there was silence). The chaotic series of events lasted mere moments, yet they felt eternal to those aboard.
Once the noise subsided, Rakhimov reflected on the eerie calm. He continued, "Tutto era tranquillo e ho capito che era eravamo atterrati" (Everything was quiet, and I realized we had landed). This bittersweet realization, tinged with horror, reveals the duality of being alive yet witnessing devastation.
The aftermath of the crash is not only about the destruction caused but also the resilience of those who survived it. Many reports have emerged, highlighting how these survivors are coping with their new reality, marked by trauma but also survival.
It's clear from survivor accounts, like those of Rakhimov, just how fragile life can be. The traumatic moments aboard the Azerbaijan Airlines flight will stay with them, as they navigate the complex emotions of their survival.
While investigations continue to understand the root cause of the crash, the human stories of fear and survival are undeniable. Each account brings forth not just facts but also intimate glimpses of fear, chaos, and, finally, survival.
