Aktau, Kazakhstan - An Azerbaijan Airlines plane tragically crashed on December 25, 2024, killing 38 individuals, including six Kazakh nationals, and leaving 29 survivors after the aircraft went down near Aktau. The Embraer 190 jet was en route from Baku to Grozny, but never reached its destination after diverting due to suspected control issues.
According to officials from Kazakhstan, there were 67 people aboard, comprising 62 passengers and five crew members. The Kazakh Emergency Ministry reported the nationalities of the deceased: 23 Azerbaijanis, nine Russians, six Kazakh nationals, and three from Kyrgyzstan. Tragically, among the deaths were children, reminding everyone of the harsh reality of air disasters.
The crash occurred shortly after the plane entered Kazakhstan's airspace around 11:02 AM local time, shortly following reports of a bird strike. After two spins near the Aktau airstrip, communication was lost at approximately 11:28 AM, when the aircraft crashed approximately 1.8 miles from the airport.
Hazardous conditions were reported when the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, stated: "The information provided to me is... the plane changed its course due to worsening weather conditions and headed to Aktau airport." Despite these statements, the preliminary investigations have suggested the possibility of bird strikes along with the bad weather contributing to the incident.
Eyewitness footage reportedly showed the plane descending erratically before crashing, engulfing the area with flames. One video captured the dire moment as passengers were seen frantically dragging fellow survivors away from wreckage, highlighting the chaotic aftermath of this tragedy. Some of those rescued were treated for serious injuries at a local hospital.
Rescue operations saw more than 490 workers involved, including emergency services and trauma specialists, dispatched to the scene to assist survivors and recover victims from the wreckage. "We are deeply saddened by the occurrence with an Embraer 190 today near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the families, friends, colleagues, and loved ones affected by this incident," stated Embraer as the company expressed mourning over the loss.
Initial investigations indicate the plane lost control after reported issues with steering related to either the bird strike or challenging weather circumstances. This led many aviation experts to raise concerns about the exact cause of the crash. Richard Aboulafia from AeroDynamic Advisory remarked, “You can lose control of the plane, but you don’t fly wildly off course as a consequence.” This controversy around the cause of the crash has triggered responses concerning safety protocols and emergency procedures.
The Kazakh government is spearheading the investigation, with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev overseeing the proceedings. He has publicly pledged to investigate the accident thoroughly and hold those responsible to account. Concurrently, Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended all its flights from Baku to Chechnya pending the findings of the inquiry.
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his condolences to the victims’ families, expressing deep sympathy for the tragic loss. Meanwhile, leaders of the affected regions are coming together to provide support for individuals dealing with the aftermath of this event. Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Chechnya, emphasized the need for prayers for recovery of those injured, noting some were critically hurt.
Despite many theories circulating about the causes of the crash, the investigation continues, with no concrete conclusions drawn. Azerbaijan President Aliyev emphasized the importance of obtaining accurate information, stating: "The reasons for the crash are still unknown to us. The matter must be thoroughly investigated.”
This catastrophic event has reverberated beyond the immediate locality, instilling concern about aviation safety measures across borders. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the fragile balance between human lives and the increasingly complex world of air travel. The thorough inquiry and analysis of results may help protect the safety of airline passengers globally, as investigative agencies dig deep to find concrete reasons behind such unfortunate incidents.
